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April 22, 2008

One more time, domain registrar Network Solutions is in the news again with reports of more questionable business practices. It is reported that NetSol is using its customers' sub-domains to run ad-generating links, according to The Register (theregister.co.uk).

Last week, Network Solutions customer, Win Betteridge, told TechCrunch (techcrunch.com) that NetSol uses the sub-domains of customers' websites for "parking" pages. He said he was suprised when he discovered that the sub-domains of his social gaming site, GotGame.com, resolved to ad-infested parking pages.

Network Solutions says it reserves the right to do this with all the websites it hosts and even includes this clause in its terms of service.

"For instance, app.gotgame.com resolves to a Network Solutions page with text links, including 'Poker Tournaments' and 'Texas Holdem Games,'" Betteridge told The Register.

Here's a snippet of Network Solutions' Terms of Use:

"You also agree that any domain name directory, sub-directory, file name or path (e.g.) that does not resolve to an active Web page on your website being hosted by Network Solutions, may be used by Network Solutions to place a "parking" page, "under construction" page, or other temporary page that may include promotions and advertisements for, and links to, Network Solutions' website, Network Solutions product and service offerings, third-party websites, third-party product and service offerings, and/or Internet search engines. You agree that Network Solutions may change the content and/or appearance of, or disable any of these temporary pages at any time, in its sole discretion, and without prior notice."

Network Solutions is no stranger to public controversy as its practices have long been questioned by critics and customers alike.

Additionally, the company was recently hit with a federal class action lawsuit for allegedly front-running domain names.

Of course, NetSol customers can opt out of this unethical business practice if they wish, however, they would need to know that it existed in the first place! Given the considerable length of the terms of service page, it seems improbable that customers would know about such a practice.

Additionally, while other domain registrars may be following a similar practice, it isn't considered fair play by the Internet community and Network Solutions has since created a lot of bad press.

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Source: Tech Blog