RE: Internet privacy

[Lyndon Nerenberg <lyndon () orthanc ab ca>]

On Thursday, October 2, 2003 1:22 PM -0700 Owen DeLong <owen () delong com> 
wrote:

> Because you don't need a domain name to live on the Ineternet.  If you
> choose
> to have a domain name, then, it's akin to hanging out your own shingle.
> If you hang out a shingle, you have an obligation to provide a certain
> amount
> of contact information as a matter of public record.

As a company director and officer I do not have to make my home address 
and telephone number available. I don't even have to make the company's 
office address or telephone number public. But I do have to provide an 
"office of record" where the company (or its officers and directors) can 
be served legal notice. Typically this is the address of the company's 
lawyer.

There's no reason why domain registrations should be any different. I can 
think of many good reasons for someone not wanting their home address and 
telephone number listed in the domain contact info. (For starters, think 
spousal abuse. Your policy would prevent a woman hiding from an abusive 
spouse from registering a .name domain.)

HOWEVER, there does need to be *some* form of valid contact information 
provided. Registrars might want to consider offering a point-of-contact 
intermediary service as a "value added" product.

--lyndon