If you’re considering registering a domain and want to see if it’s available, beware: Don’t check its availability on the Network Solutions site.

Blogs and discussion lists are all abuzz with word that Network Solutions is engaging in domain name front running. What that means is that if you search for a domain on Network Solutions, then want to purchase it on your GoDaddy account, you’re out of luck: Network Solutions has already registered the domain, so you have to buy it from them.

I tried it, and their system snapped up spatphlegm.com and shnevas.com immediately. However, cvxlkjdfjlksdg.com is still available, so I’m guessing that there’s some sort of language analysis filter they’re using to decide which ones to register and which ones to let pass.

According to ars technica back in October, ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is investigating the practice. Let’s hope they deliver a smackdown to Network Solutions, which displays an “ICANN Accredited Registrar” logo on their site.

Front running is illegal in stock trading. It ought to be illegal in domain name trading, too.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 10:34 am and is filed under Internet Stuff.