Controversy over Domain name front running

Network Solutions Inc offer a search engine which permits users to find out if a domain name is available for purchase. Unregistered domain names entered into this search engine are then speculatively registered by Network Solutions, who then offer the domain for sale at a price about 1.5 times the going rate.

On January 8, 2008 Domain Name Wire published a story alleging that Network Solutions practices domain name front running. “If you try to register a domain at Network Solutions, but decide not to register it, you won’t be able to register it anywhere else,” the article says. “Network Solutions registers the domain in its company name with the words ‘This Domain is available at NetworkSolutions.com’.”