This came up on this very mail list about 2 or 3 weeks ago. All indications
are that Network Solutions acquired this information throught legitimate
channels. There was some talk about a bunch of RSPs getting together to buy
Network Solutions WHOIS database and do similar mailings targeting their
customers, but not enough people expressed interest for it to move forward.
By the way, for $10,000/year, you can buy Network Solutions' WHOIS database
and use it as you see fit. For that matter, you can buy OpenSRS's or any
other registrars. ICANN mandates that the registrars make the information
available to anybody who ponies up the requisite fee.
Check the list archives for the entire thread (here's the start point:
http://www.opensrs.org/archives/discuss-list/0101/0383.html)
Regards,
Eric Longman
Atl-Connect Internet Services
+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Atl-Connect Internet Services http://www.atlcon.net |
| 3600 Dallas Hwy Ste 230-288 770 590-0888 |
| Marietta, GA 30064-1685 [EMAIL PROTECTED] |
+-------------------------------------------------------+
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Discuss-List@Opensrs. Org" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 4:25 PM
Subject: Whoa!! NetSol gets REAL slimy
Snail Mail SPAM received today:
Dear Prospective Customer,
It pays to renew your domain name before it expires..........
Switching to Network Solutions automatically renews your Web
indentity..................
Attached to the bottom of the letter is a response form: "It's simple to
switch right new...Just complete, sign and return this form...."
Listed with a 'check here to renew all domain names' is a list of EIGHT
domains that I registered exclusivley through OpenSRS...they were never
with Netsol. The renew offer is for $50 for 2 years.
This is bad. We've already established how weak-minded and confused some of
our OpenSRS customers get when dealing with transfer issues now NetSol
is going to try to STEAL registrations that never touched their system???
They even throw in a Postage Paid return envelope. (Which I will stuff with
invalid deactivation notices and a few lead bars and maybe a cat hairball or
two and mail back to them)
Questions:
1. Did they legally purchase the OpenSRS whois database?
2. How else could they have gotten my OpenSRS hostmaster postal address?
3. Anyone else get one of these?
Letter is 'signed' by Linh DePledge, Senior Manager, Network Solutions
Tony
