Find out what tool he was using -- it's possible that it's not just .NAME that's being targeted. This article may describe part of what's going on:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1991365,00.asp -andrewm Bill Gerrard wrote: > Does anyone here know anything about Name.net? Note the following WHOIS > output. > > We had a potential customer checking for a domain name elsewhere (I'm > not sure whose tool they were using) and found that a specific domain > was still available. The next day they tried registering the domain > with us and discovered it has been registered shortly after they > checked it's availability. The domain isn't something common that > someone else might just think of and register the same day so it > appears there is some foul play going on here. I'm trying to find out > how this potential customer had checked the availability, however > looking at the date of registration the domain was definitely > available when they had previously checked. > > Whois Server Version 2.0 > > Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered > with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net > for detailed information. > > > Domain Name: ######### > Registrar: NAME.NET LLC > Whois Server: whois.name.net > Referral URL: http://www.name.net > Name Server: NS1.ALOOKUP.NET > Name Server: NS2.ALOOKUP.NET > Status: ok > Updated Date: 30-dec-2006 > Creation Date: 30-dec-2006 > Expiration Date: 30-dec-2007 > > >>>> Last update of whois database: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:18:04 EST <<< >>>> > > NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the > registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is > currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration > date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring > registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to > view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration. > > TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois > database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and > automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or > modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry > Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for > information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information > about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not > guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide > by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only > for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data > to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass > unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone, > or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes > that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation, > repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly > prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to > use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or > query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register > domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right > to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure > operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the > Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign > reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. > > The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and > Registrars. > NO DOMAIN (1) > > > _______________________________________________ domains-gen mailing list [email protected] http://discuss.tucows.com/mailman/listinfo/domains-gen
