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FTC charged VeriSign with deceptive-business practices -- but not over Sitefinder
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 18:49:45 -0400
Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 15:08:14 -0400 From: Gene Gaines <gene.gaines () gainesgroup com>Subject: FTC charged VeriSign with deceptive-business practices -- but not overSitefinder To: dave () farber net Dave, you did see the news item, didn't you? It is quoted below. Let's see, Verisign has a substantial charge of deceptive business practices brought by the Federal Trade Commission dating back to Spring 2002. That reaches court on Sep. 11, 2003, with a prompt settlement, following a successful class action suit against Verisign in California. Verisign's "Find" service started the following Monday, Sep. 15. I suppose they were very busy over the wekend? Give me a break! Gene Gaines gene.gaines () gainesgroup com Sterling, Virginia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reuters VeriSign agrees to Oversight of marketing efforts Monday September 15, 3:10 pm ET (2003) By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators will make sure Internet domain-name seller VeriSign Inc (NasdaqNM:VRSN - News). provides refunds or free service to consumers it signed up in a controversial marketing campaign last year, according to court documents filed late last week. The Federal Trade Commission charged VeriSign with deceptive-business practices on Thursday in U.S. court in Washington after the firm sent out "domain name expiration notices" to competitors' customers in the spring of 2002. VeriSign warned domain-name holders that they could lose control of addresses like "www.example.com" if they did not promptly send $29 to VeriSign. The forms were intended to trick domain owners into unwittingly transferring their accounts to VeriSign, the FTC charged. VeriSign agreed to provide refunds or a year of free service to thousands of customers under a class-action settlement reached earlier this year in a California court. Friday's FTC settlement, in which the company did not admit or deny guilt, means that it could face steep fines if it resorts to such marketing tactics again. VeriSign must also allow the FTC to monitor its marketing efforts for the next five years. "This matter relates to a marketing campaign that ended more than a year ago," VeriSign spokesman Tom Galvin told Reuters. "VeriSign cooperated fully with the FTC and is pleased that the matter is fully resolved." An FTC official declined to comment.
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- FTC charged VeriSign with deceptive-business practices -- but not over Sitefinder Dave Farber (Sep 22)