Network Solutions’ policy of holding the domain names that people search on for hostage must end.
If you search on an unclaimed domain name at the registar’s site, the company then blocks you or anyone else from registering the name on any other site for the next five days, according to Webb Alert. So instead of paying $10 or less, you are stuck paying NetSol $35, or else you must wait nearly a week to try again elsewhere.
The blogosphere has correctly responded to this policy by slamming the company, and ICANN is reportedly investigating.
The market could react to this situation by boycotting using Network Solutions since there are many much cheaper alternatives. But ICANN needs to intervene by addressing the practice of searching on domain searches by making that data off limits.
The URLs that are being searched on should be the private information of each registrar and should not be used for its or speculators’ advantage. If no one knows what is being searched, then everyone is at the same starting point. If people are forced to come up with their own ideas, then all’s fair in love and domain speculation.
