UK Reg/Fasthosts and 'DomCollect'!

[devolution]

It's patently clear that Nominet cannot run effectively, or enforce it's rules on troublemaking/rule-breaking ISPs/Registrars...
Customers are being done-over (often without even knowing) viz-a-viz 1&1 etc., and there appears to be no protection or ability to address these things.
That's why I wish to stand up for the underdog in my ongoing proceedings etc.

I don't like having to move to legal action to get things done, but more and more with regards Internet things these days, it seems the only avenue, since STILL we have no 'net-savvy' consumer protection office or department anywhere in our Government!

 

[Alien]

It's patently clear that Nominet cannot run effectively, or enforce it's rules on troublemaking/rule-breaking ISPs/Registrars...
Customers are being done-over (often without even knowing) viz-a-viz 1&1 etc., and there appears to be no protection or ability to address these things.
That's why I wish to stand up for the underdog in my ongoing proceedings etc.

I don't like having to move to legal action to get things done, but more and more with regards Internet things these days, it seems the only avenue, since STILL we have no 'net-savvy' consumer protection office or department anywhere in our Government!

Very interesting, would you keep us all updated on your progress, Dev?

 

[dtm]

Don't like this!

Happened to one of mine linuxinfo.co.uk I shall be renewing it forever regardless of whether it's worth it just so DomCollect doesn't get their hands on it!

Domain name:
linuxinfo.co.uk

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their
address omitted from the WHOIS service.

Registrar:
Fasthosts Internet Ltd [Tag = FASTHOSTS]
URL: http://www.fasthosts.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 04-Jun-2005
Renewal date: 04-Jun-2009
Last updated: 18-Jun-2009

Registration status:
Renewal required.

Name servers:
ns1.domcollect.com
ns2.domcollect.com

 

[dtm]

Don't like this!

Happened to one of mine linuxinfo.co.uk I shall be renewing it forever regardless of whether it's worth it just so DomCollect doesn't get their hands on it!

Just trying to change IPS tag to my own and I get:

This domain is locked for the period following Expiry

 

[dtm]

I'm am very annoyed in the fact that you have changed the nameservers on this domain to DomCollect/Sedo for presumably traffic tasting following it's alleged expiry. It hasn't been suspended so therefore I don't think you have the right to do so as it is still a functioning domain. I can't even change the IPS tag to my own tag to renew it. Please change the tag to ISEKA immediately and get those namesevers changed from a parking page!

I will be calling Nominet and informing them of the situation tomorrow.

Sorry to keep spamming this thread, but I just wanted to add that I've sent this message to UKREG, I don't believe it acceptable what they are doing, stealing traffic / allowing traffic tasting before the domain is Suspended!

 

[rob]

When does your contract with them with regards to services expire?

Does it say anything about renewal dates and actions thereafter?

 

[dtm]

When does your contract with them with regards to services expire?

Does it say anything about renewal dates and actions thereafter?

I've just had a quick look through their terms and there is nothing specific regarding this, It kindly links to Nominet for .uk domains.

Technically the domain 'expired' on the 4th June, But do they have a right to then change the nameservers on the 18th?

 

[retired_member6]

I've just had a quick look through their terms and there is nothing specific regarding this, It kindly links to Nominet for .uk domains.

Technically the domain 'expired' on the 4th June, But do they have a right to then change the nameservers on the 18th?

I've never understood this, it's not their name, technically they shouldn't be able to do anything with it as they never bought it. When you park your car in a car park, you're not giving the attendent permission to give it a test drive and go out for the evening are you?

 

[dtm]

I've never understood this, it's not their name, technically they shouldn't be able to do anything with it as they never bought it. When you park your car in a car park, you're not giving the attendent permission to give it a test drive and go out for the evening are you?

I totally agree Lee, I think it's unacceptable:
a) They are profiting from it
b) The fact that is specifically DomCollect - shows that they are tasting traffic so they can catch it

I think Nominet should be the ones to sort this out. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow, see whether they think it is acceptable.

 

[aZooZa]

To call Nominet and ask them for a definitive opinion is like asking a turkey whether Chistmas is a reasonable festivity.

 

[monaghan]

To change the nameservers to point the domain to a "Client suspended page" or to remove from the company nameservers (after all your contract has expired so you can't expect them to provide nameservers for free) or even detagging I can see as acceptable, but to modify nameservers to repoint to a site where someone other than the registrant can profit does not seem ethical.

Please publish the reply you get from Nominet

 

[rob]

Technically the domain 'expired' on the 4th June, But do they have a right to then change the nameservers on the 18th?

I dont know - as the registrant hasnt changed, but the services 'attached' have.

I've never understood this, it's not their name, technically they shouldn't be able to do anything with it as they never bought it. When you park your car in a car park, you're not giving the attendent permission to give it a test drive and go out for the evening are you?

No, but if you agree to park it until 4th June at their premium space (say central london) would they be entitled to move it elsewhere (eg. cheaper land out of the city) after that period of time? I am guessing this would be after some form of contact to say 'hey, pay us another £x to keep it parked' etc

To change the nameservers to point the domain to a "Client suspended page" or to remove from the company nameservers (after all your contract has expired so you can't expect them to provide nameservers for free) or even detagging I can see as acceptable, but to modify nameservers to repoint to a site where someone other than the registrant can profit does not seem ethical.

I agree - 'suspended services' etc pages are quite common. The nature of the page is one open to debate, on the one hand its a good business move as not only do they have massive clientbase so they can pre-taste traffic on loads of names, but then use their might to hoover up names others might not realise have traffic.

Then in the odd case they get to sell it back to people who forgot to renew

Its stuff like this that makes me think the industrial age of domains is coming to the previously cottage industry of .uk

 

[Skinner]

I just got this off snap names...

DOMAIN NAME TOTAL VISITORS 35 Day REVENUE
theculturedtraveler.com 1467 $22.02
mitsuwachicago.net 804 $16.76
youcanbetteryourbody.com 35 $8.60
arcadeo.com 708 $7.54
dotoledo.com 539 $4.33
theedendestinysociety.com 11 $3.57
papaya-bbs.com 2724 $2.68
izillatoys.com 230 $2.38
angkortech.com 53 $2.09
tvdemente.tv 493 $2.05
fortuneinternationalrealty.com 265 $1.92
homeequityloanstexas.com 9 $1.91
tuition-management.com 10 $1.26
sanfordphotography.com 624 $1.20
trilliummarketing.net 150 $1.20
*Revenue is provided by Register.com and not warranted. The duration of this statistic is 35 days.

Makes you wonder how much revenue they generate from this tasting, theres maybe $100 over just over a dozen names. Certainly highlights which would be worth catching with the time delay just for revenue doesnt it ?

 

[Alien]

I've noticed recently that when a domain registered via Fasthosts/UK Reg enters a suspended state, the nameservers change to:

ns1.domcollect.com
ns2.domcollect.com

Before it was Sedo parking NS (but DomCollect are in fact Sedo right?!).

Both DomCollect and UK Reg/Fasthosts appear to be in bed together?! ;-)

God, these guys are leeches!

All over domains instantly that aren't renewed with their NS, surely an unfair advantage to 'taste' them this way?

 

[Edwin]

This tasting is going on between different companies under the United Internet group umbrella. See United Internet AG - Marken for details of all their brands. So it's hardly an arms-length relationship.

 

[invincible]

To change the nameservers to point the domain to a "Client suspended page" or to remove from the company nameservers (after all your contract has expired so you can't expect them to provide nameservers for free) or even detagging I can see as acceptable, but to modify nameservers to repoint to a site where someone other than the registrant can profit does not seem ethical.

Please publish the reply you get from Nominet

Is this occuring for domain names that are on the Registrar's tag(s) *and* name servers operated by the Registrar's, or is it occuring for all domain names that are on the Registrar's tag(s) regardless of which name servers the Registrant is using?

A Registrant enters into an agreement with the Registry through their agent (the Registrar). The contract is between the Registrant and the Registry. A Registrar should have the right to terminate name server and tag management services past the expiry date but I don't believe they have the right to harvest off your traffic.

 

[Whois-Search]

When the domain first expires and says "Renewal required" in the whois - is it possible to 'taste' the traffic for 30 days? But once the domain goes in to " This registration has been SUSPENDED" the nameservers stop working all together?

Example: rootx.co.uk no longer resolves.

 

[devolution]

The domain still works whilst in Renewal Required if it hasn't been suspended, so it is 'Reverse Domain Tasting' - something I pointed out at the start of the year..

At least someone should bring this up at the Member's conference...!

 

[GreyWing]

I think a high majority of members would say Domain tasting is not something that any of us wants to see in tyhe .uk market.

 

[retired_member6]

I think a high majority of members would say Domain tasting is not something that any of us wants to see in tyhe .uk market.

domainlore, domcollect, ukreg, sedo and directors on other tag holding companies show that despite the harsh words of the rules, the system is pretty open, makes the fuss of deleting and it being shut down and me taking a year out all the more petty by a sole executive on a power trip.