Domain name scam: Difference between revisions
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In 2004, Mr. Daniel Klemann and ''1480455 Ontario Incorporated'', operating as Internet Registry of Canada (IROC) was sentenced to a $40,000 fine and a five-year prohibition order for deceptive Internet domain name renewal mailouts that targeted 73,000 businesses and non-profit organizations across Canada.<ref>{{cite news|last=King|first=Julie|title=Toronto man sentenced in Bogus Invoice Scam|url=http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/briefs.html?StoryID=04Jul02_1|accessdate=14 July 2011|newspaper=[[CanadaOne]]|date=July 2, 2004}}</ref> |
In 2004, Mr. Daniel Klemann and ''1480455 Ontario Incorporated'', operating as Internet Registry of Canada (IROC) was sentenced to a $40,000 fine and a five-year prohibition order for deceptive Internet domain name renewal mailouts that targeted 73,000 businesses and non-profit organizations across Canada.<ref>{{cite news|last=King|first=Julie|title=Toronto man sentenced in Bogus Invoice Scam|url=http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/briefs.html?StoryID=04Jul02_1|accessdate=14 July 2011|newspaper=[[CanadaOne]]|date=July 2, 2004}}</ref> |
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=== Domain Registry of America === |
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''Also known as Domain Renewal Group.'' |
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In 2002, Register.com sued ''Domain Registry of America'', claiming the company illegally lured away thousands of customers by tricking them into transferring their domains.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/Register.com-says-rival-duped-customers/2100-1024_3-955733.html Register.com says rival duped customers. By Lisa M. Bowman; Staff Writer, CNET News] September 18, 2002 12:37 PM PDT</ref> |
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In 2003, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] reached a settlement with the ''Domain Registry of America'' for practices such as transferring domain registrations to their service under the guise of domain renewal, a practice known as ''domain slamming'', and having hidden fees.<ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/12/031219stipdomainreg.pdf Federal Trade Commission v. Domain Registry of America, Inc.]</ref><ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/12/domainreg.shtm Federal Trade Commission: Court Bars Canadian Company from Misleading Consumers in Marketing of Internet Domain Name Services]</ref><ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/01/06/court_bars_canadian_domain_slammer/ The Register: Court bars Canadian domain slammer]</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Stephen Lawson |title=Judge Halts Domain Deception |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,108315-page,1/article.html |work=[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] |date=31 December 2002 |accessdate=24 May 2008}}</ref> |
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In 2008 [[ICANN]] said: "we are aware of accredited registrars in North America with officers that have been convicted of mail fraud, that continue to be associated with the deceptive marketing practices employed by the Domain Registry of America. We do not consider this an acceptable situation. Accreditation processes must be reviewed, and that review must be released for public scrutiny".<ref>[[ICANN]]: [http://www.atlarge.icann.org/en/correspondence/correspondence-14sep.htm ALAC Statement to the Board of ICANN on Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement] Sun 14 Sep 2008</ref> |
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In 2009, [[ASA]] released an [[adjudication]] on ''Domain Registry of America'' t/a ''Domain Renewal Group''.<ref name=asa>{{cite web|title=ASA Adjudication on Domain Registry of America|url=http://www.asa.org.uk/Asa-Action/Adjudications/2009/11/Domain-Registry-of-America/TF_ADJ_47583.aspx|publisher=[[ASA]]|accessdate=15 July 2011}}</ref> |
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As of 2010, this company mailing as ''DROA'', ''French Internet Registry'', ''Domain Renewal Group'' or ''Company Directory'', is doing so in order to achieve ''domain slamming''.<ref>[http://www.micro-entreprise.info/essentiel-renouvellement-nom-domaine-n25981.html Most of the renewal of a domain name Posted May 26, 2010 by Marina Legrand]</ref> [[McAfee]] Labs also reports that the ''domain slamming'' solicitations continue.<ref>{{cite web |first=Craig | last=Schmugar | title=Persistent Domain-Renewal Scam Alive and Kicking | work=[http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/ McAfee Labs Blog] | date=30 March 2010 | url=http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2010/03/30/persistent-domain-renewal-scam-alive-and-kicking/ | accessdate=6 May 2010 }}</ref> |
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=== Domain Registry of Canada === |
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Registrar '''Brandon Gray Internet Services Inc.''' had its licence with the authority responsible for Canada's [[.ca]] domain names, [[Canadian Internet Registration Authority]] (CIRA) terminated Sept. 2010, as a result of ''domain slamming'' carried out under the name of ''Domain Registry of Canada''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Brian|title=Alleged 'domain slammers' lose dot-ca licence, sue CIRA $10 million|url=http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=59307|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=ITworldcanada|date=9/22/2010 5:57:00 AM}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Shea|first=Dave|title=Domain Registry Scam|url=http://mezzoblue.com/archives/2008/07/16/domain_regis/|work=mezzoblue|publisher=[[Dave Shea]]/[[mezzoblue]]|accessdate=15 July 2011}}</ref> |
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=== Domain Registry of Europe === |
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In 2002, the UK Advertising Watchdog Authority (ASA) slammed Domain Registry of Europe over similar mail shots.<ref>{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Tim|title=ASA slams ‘intimidating’ Domain Registry of Europe mailshots|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/10/23/asa_slams_intimidating_domain_registry/|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Register|date=17th July 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Tim|title=Ad watchdog critical of Domain Registry of Europe|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/08/16/ad_watchdog_critical_of_domain/|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Register|date=16th August 2002 10:07 GMT}}</ref> |
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In response to this, [[Alan Freeman]], Relations Manager for ''DRoE'', said that the company - which also trades as ''Domain Registry of America'' and ''Domain Registry of Canada'' - had registered 1.1 million domains for customers and was registering between 5,000 and 7,000 new domains a day.<ref name="droe">{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Tim|title=Domain Registry of Europe defends tactics, sues Tucows|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/07/17/domain_registry_of_europe_defends/|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Register|date=17th July 2002 12:58 GMT}}</ref> |
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In 2003, Dutch hosting provider Deinternetman pondered legal action against ''Domain Registry of Europe'' for sending their customers letters urging them to renew their domain contracts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Libbenga|first=Jan|title=Legal action threatened against domain slammer|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/08/06/legal_action_threatened_against_domain/|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Register|date=6th August 2003 17:56 GMT}}</ref> |
In 2003, Dutch hosting provider Deinternetman pondered legal action against ''Domain Registry of Europe'' for sending their customers letters urging them to renew their domain contracts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Libbenga|first=Jan|title=Legal action threatened against domain slammer|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/08/06/legal_action_threatened_against_domain/|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Register|date=6th August 2003 17:56 GMT}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 08:01, 19 July 2011
Domain slamming is a form of Intellectual property scam in which an internet service provider (ISP) or domain name registrar attempts to trick customers of different companies into switching from their existing ISP/registrar to the scamming ISP/registrar, under the pretense that the customer is simply renewing their subscription to their old ISP/registrar.[1]
Verisign
VeriSign was sued in 2002 for their actions in sending ambiguous emails informing people, often incorrectly, that their domain was about to expire and inviting them to click on a link to renew it. Renewing the domain resulted in the registration company being transferred to VeriSign from the previous registrar.[2]
In 2003, VeriSign was found not to have broken the law but were barred from suggesting that a domain was about to expire or that a transfer was actually a renewal.[3]
Liberty Names Of America
A company under the name of Liberty Names of America (or Liberty names of America Inc., also referred to as "Lnoa Inc." or "Lnoa.com") too has been sending out "Domain Name Expiration Notices".[4]
1446513 Ontario
Internet Registry of Canada
In 2001, the federal Competition Bureau (of Canada) issued a warning about documents that appeared to be invoices sent out by a business called the "Internet Registry of Canada."[5]
"Complaints received by the Competition Bureau indicate that the mailings from the 'Internet Registry of Canada' give the impression that it is affiliated with the Government of Canada or that it is an officially sanctioned agency registering domain names in Canada. The 'Internet Registry of Canada' is not associated with any government agency," the Competition Bureau advisory stated.[6]
In 2004, Mr. Daniel Klemann and 1480455 Ontario Incorporated, operating as Internet Registry of Canada (IROC) was sentenced to a $40,000 fine and a five-year prohibition order for deceptive Internet domain name renewal mailouts that targeted 73,000 businesses and non-profit organizations across Canada.[7]
Domain Registry of America
Also known as Domain Renewal Group.
In 2002, Register.com sued Domain Registry of America, claiming the company illegally lured away thousands of customers by tricking them into transferring their domains.[8]
In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with the Domain Registry of America for practices such as transferring domain registrations to their service under the guise of domain renewal, a practice known as domain slamming, and having hidden fees.[9][10][11][12]
In 2008 ICANN said: "we are aware of accredited registrars in North America with officers that have been convicted of mail fraud, that continue to be associated with the deceptive marketing practices employed by the Domain Registry of America. We do not consider this an acceptable situation. Accreditation processes must be reviewed, and that review must be released for public scrutiny".[13]
In 2009, ASA released an adjudication on Domain Registry of America t/a Domain Renewal Group.[14]
As of 2010, this company mailing as DROA, French Internet Registry, Domain Renewal Group or Company Directory, is doing so in order to achieve domain slamming.[15] McAfee Labs also reports that the domain slamming solicitations continue.[16]
Domain Registry of Canada
Registrar Brandon Gray Internet Services Inc. had its licence with the authority responsible for Canada's .ca domain names, Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) terminated Sept. 2010, as a result of domain slamming carried out under the name of Domain Registry of Canada.[17][18]
Domain Registry of Europe
In 2002, the UK Advertising Watchdog Authority (ASA) slammed Domain Registry of Europe over similar mail shots.[19][20]
In response to this, Alan Freeman, Relations Manager for DRoE, said that the company - which also trades as Domain Registry of America and Domain Registry of Canada - had registered 1.1 million domains for customers and was registering between 5,000 and 7,000 new domains a day.[21]
In 2003, Dutch hosting provider Deinternetman pondered legal action against Domain Registry of Europe for sending their customers letters urging them to renew their domain contracts.[22]
1446513 Ontario Limited v. Tucows Inc. et al.
On 2nd July 2002, the "Domain Registry" served papers against Canada-based domain registrar Tucows Inc, for alleged defamation and is seeking $21m in damages.[21][23] Tucows later said: "The Company (Tucows) does not believe it will be liable for any damages and accordingly has not accrued any amounts at June 30, 2002."[24]
New Zealand Domain Registration Ltd
Blair Rafferty is believed to have resurrected his bankrupt brother Chesley's domain name registration scam, targetting New Zealand and Australian registrants.[25]
References
- ^ DiscountDomainsUK.com: Want To Get Ripped Off By Domain Name Fraudsters?
- ^ TheRegister.co.uk: VeriSign hit with slamming lawsuit
- ^ TheRegister.co.uk: VeriSign slammed for domain renewal scam
- ^ Mitchell, Robert (November 7, 2007). "The not-quite-domain-name-slamming school of marketing". Computerworld Inc. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ MARRON, KEVIN (Nov. 06, 2002 9:03PM EST). "'Domain slamming' surfaces on the Web". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Charles, Bergeron. "Competition Bureau Issues Warning to Canadians about Misleading Mailings for Internet Domain Name Registrations". Competition Bureau.
- ^ King, Julie (July 2, 2004). "Toronto man sentenced in Bogus Invoice Scam". CanadaOne. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ Register.com says rival duped customers. By Lisa M. Bowman; Staff Writer, CNET News September 18, 2002 12:37 PM PDT
- ^ Federal Trade Commission v. Domain Registry of America, Inc.
- ^ Federal Trade Commission: Court Bars Canadian Company from Misleading Consumers in Marketing of Internet Domain Name Services
- ^ The Register: Court bars Canadian domain slammer
- ^ Stephen Lawson (31 December 2002). "Judge Halts Domain Deception". PC World. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
- ^ ICANN: ALAC Statement to the Board of ICANN on Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement Sun 14 Sep 2008
- ^ "ASA Adjudication on Domain Registry of America". ASA. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- ^ Most of the renewal of a domain name Posted May 26, 2010 by Marina Legrand
- ^ Schmugar, Craig (30 March 2010). "Persistent Domain-Renewal Scam Alive and Kicking". McAfee Labs Blog. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ Jackson, Brian (9/22/2010 5:57:00 AM). "Alleged 'domain slammers' lose dot-ca licence, sue CIRA $10 million". ITworldcanada. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Shea, Dave. "Domain Registry Scam". mezzoblue. Dave Shea/mezzoblue. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- ^ Richardson, Tim (17th July 2002). "ASA slams 'intimidating' Domain Registry of Europe mailshots". The Register. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Richardson, Tim (16th August 2002 10:07 GMT). "Ad watchdog critical of Domain Registry of Europe". The Register. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Richardson, Tim (17th July 2002 12:58 GMT). "Domain Registry of Europe defends tactics, sues Tucows". The Register. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Libbenga, Jan (6th August 2003 17:56 GMT). "Legal action threatened against domain slammer". The Register. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Michener, Lang. "1446513 Ontario Limited v. Tucows Inc. et al". TuCows. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ COOPERMAN, MICHAEL. "Legal Proceedings". QUARTERLY REPORT. Tucows Inc. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ SAARINEN, JUHA (MONDAY, AUGUST 07 2006). "Rafferty brother continues domain slamming scam". Fairfax Media Business Group, Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)