"Whois hijacking my domain research?"

[Steve]

Domain names are valuable things. They can be a key part of a company (like HEXUS.net) or just part of your identity (like my personal domain). The problem with them being valuable, is that pond scum like to steal them, or worse still, get to them before you can buy them, and then 'squat' them.

You've seen the sort of pages; the ones where you've typed in a domain name that's not quite right and just got a page full of search links that could to the newbie seem relevant. It gets worse, however, when the companys that do this registering actually snoop out the domain names you're looking into buying, then buy them before you get a chance.

It all started with a message from a reader. She was planning to put a Web site up and needed to register a domain name.

She chose to use her first and last names for the domain (just as I own larryseltzer.com) and checked it on at least one service for availability.

She went back in a day or two to register it and, lo and behold, it had just been registered to an outfit named Chesterton Holdings.

Larry Seltzer has more over at eWeek.

[SpawnofSonic]

I've had it happen to me, my advice to people is if you research a domain and find its available, buy it then so this doesnt happen. It should be illegal but its not

[CAL3H]

I've had it happen to me, my advice to people is if you research a domain and find its available, buy it then so this doesnt happen. It should be illegal but its not

Yeah definitely. I suppose it makes the domains easy to snap up for people trying to be difficult - my .co.uk domain costs only £2.34 per year to use.

[Lee H]

My name's .co.uk domain has been taken by a person with the same name as me and I've had a few funny emails with people stating " I didn't know you was a professional ballet dancer "

[Carlh]

Nah Lee - You just like to prance round in frilly dresses

[GoNz0]

yeh ok we believe u :|

Location: on the dancefloor,

[Steve]

I wonder what would happen if you approached one of these scummy squatters and asked if you could purchase the domain. If they charge an extortionate amount, you could in theory get them done.

Remember Mikerowesoft? Let me find the original article.

Here it is: http://www.theregister.com/2004/01/1...ten_mike_rowe/

Mike had unwittingly slipped into the classic trap set by companies in order to get hold of domain names - the creation of a “bad faith” use of the domain. By offering to sell the domain for profit (even if sparked by the offer of payment by the other party), according to the bent logic of domain dispute arbitrators, it shows the owner had no legitimate interest in the domain and so it should be handed over.

[slugs]

i lost my domain name by a similar process. and just give up.

reminded me ill go and have a look if its still taken

[chuckskull]

The internet is full of asholes trying to make a quick buck. People are much more willing to scam when they dont have to look you in the eye or risk violence/arrest when the person realises they've been scammed.

[Mike Fishcake]

People are much more willing to scam when they dont have to look you in the eye or risk violence/arrest when the person realises they've been scammed.

The entire situation summed up in one perfect sentence.

[kapitalx]

This happened to me, I emailed the guy and asked if I could buy it, he asked for $5340, I dont know where he pulled that number out of.

I offered 300$, but his response was "Good luck".

Thank god i'm Canadian, I just went and got the .ca version of the domain.