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VeriSign/NSI and "typosquatting" (was: "Profits in Mixed Exits...")
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:41:08 -0400
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 08:31:32 -0700 From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com> Subject: VeriSign/NSI and "typosquatting" (was: "Profits in Mixed Exits...") To: dave () farber net Cc: lauren () pfir org, neumann () pfir orgX-Spam-Status: No, hits=-1.8 required=7.5 tests=IN_REP_TO,MSG_ID_ADDED_BY_MTA_2version=2.31 X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Filtered-At: eList eXpress <http://www.elistx.com/> > From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk () gsp org> > Subject: Re: [IP] Profits in Missed Exits on Information Highway > ... > This is, of course, the despicable practice known as "typosquatting", > several particularly egregious examples of which are documented here: > ... > Given Network Solutions' very long history of sleazy behavior, it's not at > all surprising that they want to engage in this on an unprecedented scale. Dave, On its face, this would appear to be outside the bounds of the intended operating rights with which VeriSign/NSI (or other domain registration entities) have been vested. To extract revenue from typos in this manner means that they must effectively register each of the misspellings of interest to point at their servers, presumably in vast numbers and at what amounts to zero internal cost in real dollars (regardless of their internal accounting). I am unable to find an interpretation of any enabling agreements that would validate such activities as a revenue stream. Their actions in this regard appear to be taking inappropriate advantage of their position in a manner that even the phone companies haven't had the guts to try (yet!) This looks like a clear case for reevaluation of VeriSign/NSI's operating authority. --Lauren-- Lauren Weinstein lauren () pfir org or lauren () vortex com or lauren () privacyforum org http://www.pfir.org/lauren Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org Co-Founder, Fact Squad - http://www.factsquad.org Co-Founder, URIICA - Union for Representative International Internet Cooperation and Analysis - http://www.uriica.org Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
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- VeriSign/NSI and "typosquatting" (was: "Profits in Mixed Exits...") Dave Farber (Sep 15)