Advertising via the Whois

[HariSeldon]

I just checked the whois for cubeworld.co.uk and discovered some novel advertising (seen it loads of times on .coms before but never a .uk.)

Anyone else tried this and seen any results?

 

[rob]

Nice abuse of the UK WHOIS records there by domcollect / sedo.

If only they had some knowledge of the policy / Nominet eh ? ;-)

 

[alex]

I didn't think this was allowed.

 

[rob]

I didn't think this was allowed.

New policy I guess, knock yourself out

 

[alex]

I've been looking through the Nominet Ts and Cs and can't actually see where it says you can't do that, but I remember a discussion on here a while back confirming you couldn't.

 

[alex]

Here we go: http://www.nominet.org.uk/digitalAs...or_completing_registrant_details_April_01.pdf

if accurate contact details are not available for a Domain Name registration then the contract is null and void

 

[Skinner]

Accurate details are there though, just the added line.

I've put "Domain for Sale" in my whois on a domain in the past, Nom told me to change my address because I didn't have street address, just house number, city and post-code (which is accurate via royal mail).

They didn't tell me to remove the domain for sale, My point is as a domainer selling domains is part of my business so I want to My Name, Domain For Sale, Address on the envelope so I can sort my mail. I think that's a fair argument.

Its not much different than "Dept. Domains For Sale" or any other dept that I've seen on domain names.

I think a new domain status should be introduced for "Domain For Sale"

 

[HariSeldon]

I've put "Domain for Sale" in my whois on a domain in the past ... They didn't tell me to remove the domain for sale

"Domain for Sale" could just as easily be your trading name and so it would be difficult for Nominet to object.

The cubeworld one though is undeniably advertising. I'll ask Nominet about it, I'm definitely updating my whois records if it's allowed. If you can't beat 'em join 'em.

 

[foz]

The cubeworld one though is undeniably advertising. I'll ask Nominet about it, I'm definitely updating my whois records if it's allowed. If you can't beat 'em join 'em.

Lets us know what they say, thanks.

 

[bb99]

I have a vague recollection of Nominet telling registrants to remove this sort of thing in the past, but I can't be certain.

I think the way round it then was to register this-domain-is-for-sale.co.uk or similar, and set that as one or more of your name servers.

So do let us know what Nominet say about it please.

 

[redbird]

I have a vague recollection of Nominet telling registrants to remove this sort of thing in the past, but I can't be certain.

I think the way round it then was to register this-domain-is-for-sale.co.uk or similar, and set that as one or more of your name servers.

So do let us know what Nominet say about it please.

Or as the registrar URL would be even better for TAG holders

 

[HariSeldon]

Official response from Nominet is it's a no no.

The WHOIS ... should not be used for advertising

So I guess the one I spotted will soon be updated.

 

[foz]

Official response from Nominet is it's a no no.

Thanks....

 

[bb99]

Official response from Nominet is it's a no no.

So I guess the one I spotted will soon be updated.

Even sooner if you report it

Thanks for the info.

 

[Skinner]

I have registered a couple of such names for name servers but I HATE messing with my dns because I always mess up, so I just haven't added them .

I can't see how Nom could object to including an identifier for how someone found your address and decided to write to you. Its like in yellow pages where they say "Tell us you found us in yellow pages".

I guess an identifier is different than that blatant advert tho.

 

[newguy]

I have registered a couple of such names for name servers but I HATE messing with my dns because I always mess up, so I just haven't added them .

I can't see how Nom could object to including an identifier for how someone found your address and decided to write to you. Its like in yellow pages where they say "Tell us you found us in yellow pages".

I guess an identifier is different than that blatant advert tho.

Yes, how about something like

Dept: Domain for Sale

I wonder if they'd object to that. It's not direct advertising as such.

 

[Skinner]

My friend just heard an interesting one from Nom about addresses, there is a domain he wants to buy but the person has put the registrars address in the whois not his own, the registrar was unhelpful for my friend so he contacted nom to see if he could get any other details. I did tell him nom wouldn't give anything, but horse and water time.

Anyway nom have told him that the addrsss a real address so it doesn't need to be changed, as long as its registered to a legally identifiable person. No need for whois opt-out, just put your registrars address in the whois.

So seems any address is good, yours or not, I'm having downing street or mayfair

 

[Adam]

When I first started messing around with domains some time ago, I did the whole WHOIS advertising thing and quickly got a very strongly worded warning from Nominet asking me to change it or risk the domain being cancelled... Kinda pissed that this is allowed to continue for other, larger, stakeholders though. I'm sure Nominet will get on it now that its been brought to their attention.

"Domain for Sale" could just as easily be your trading name and so it would be difficult for Nominet to object.

The cubeworld one though is undeniably advertising. I'll ask Nominet about it, I'm definitely updating my whois records if it's allowed. If you can't beat 'em join 'em.

 

[HariSeldon]

I'm sure Nominet will get on it now that its been brought to their attention.

To be fair to Nominet the Whois got updated yesterday afternoon so they did take swift decisive action.

The registrant now has just an email address and phone number as the start of their real address which I'm assuming Nominet have given the OK to.