Posted using ShareThis

With subject lines such as “Regarding your domain” and “Information about your domain”, the notices signed by “ISP Renewal” try to get you to submit your credit card information to renew domain names. It appears the scam has been sniffed out by hosting companies, as none of the links in the emails I received over the weekend resolve to working web pages.

There are several clues in the e-mails that they are fake, beyond the fact that a company is trying to get you to renew a domain name at another registrar:

1. Spelling and grammatical errors
2. The domains aren’t actually expiring in 60 days, as the email claims
3. In my case, I no longer own one of the domains

Here is the content of the scam emails:

Customer

This is to remind you that, it is time to renew you domain name NEWLYWEDS.net, the expiry date is 60 days .
Renew your domain automatically with a Domain Renewal. Click to renew your domain name
————> http://WWW.DOMAIN.net.domainrenewalonline.org/

Once the payment has been completed the above mentioned domain name will Automatically be renewed and a conformation will be sent.
__________________________________

Sincerely ISP Renewal
__________________________________

Additional information.
Renewal reminder service has been developed for companies to avoid loss temporary dysfunction of domain names in case of failure of on time renewal. By using this service you will automatically renew your domain name without any additional changes to the whois database. The only change will be the new expiry date. You may also contact your current domain provider in order to perform the extension.
In case of any questions do not hesitate to contact us at
Tel: +44 20 3318 1883
Fax: +44 20 3318 1884

by Andrew Allemann of  Domain Name Wire

The World Intellectual Property Organization reckons ICANN should toughen its stance against new gTLD registries that allow cybersquatting.

The “trademark post-delegation dispute resolution procedure” or Trademark PDDRP would let trademark holders try to suspend new TLDs and receive compensation when a registry allows cybersquatting.

WIPO wants the burden of proof on trademark holders relaxed, making it much easier to file complaints.

Currently, the draft process would require complainants to show registries’ “specific bad faith intent” to profit from cybersquatting.

WIPO thinks this should be broadened to include deliberate recklessness.

“In seeking to give meaning to ‘intent,’ the criteria should, without as such imposing or implying any sweeping registry policing duty, also encompass instances of willful blindness,” WIPO wrote.

The comments came in response to ICANN’s public comment period on the process, which closes on Thursday.

Posted using ShareThis

Posted using ShareThis

Posted using ShareThis

Posted using ShareThis

A freind of Gizmo’s Domains Wrote a blog the other day, and shared it with us and our friends and our community, I wanted to take monment and share it with all of our friends. It is one of those very serious matters in Gizmo’s Domains comunity. please take a read and please pass it along to your friends of interest. This blog was orginaly wrote my our friend Mark Fulton on March 6th 2008, If you like marks works please visit his Dotsauces Magazine at http://www.dotsauce.com Here is the blog in full;

Senate “Anti-Phishing” Bill Threatens Domain Owners and Small Business

U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe has introduced, the “Anti-Phishing Consumer Protection Act of 2008” (APCPA). The bill is cosponsored by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Ted Stevens (R-AK), the man who famously referred to the internet as a “series of tubes.”

This bill is in fact, not truly about phishing so much as it is a direct blow to legitimate domain owners and small business.

For the most direct information you can read the bill itself here (PDF) and review an in-depth response by the Internet Commerce Association(ICA).

Closer Look at the Fine Print

The good (bad) stuff starts on page 6 of the document and continues to completely destroy domain WHOIS privacy as we know it today. This section alone should be encouragement enough to fight against the passage of this bill.

(c) WHOIS Database Information Accuracy-

(2) DOMAIN NAME REGISTRARS, REGISTRIES AND OTHER AUTHORITIES – It is unlawful for a domain name registrar, registry or other domain name authority, directly or indirectly, via proxy or any other method, to replace or materially alter the contents of, or to shield, mask, block, or otherwise restrict access to, any domain name registrant’s name, physical address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address, or other identifying information in any WHOIS database or any other database of a domain name registration authority if such registrar, registry, or domain name authority has received written notice, including via facsimile or electronic mail at such entity’s facsimile number or electronic mail address of record, that the use of such domain name is in violation of any provision of this Act.

Sign the Petition Now

Over 600 people so far have participated and signed showning their support against this supposed “anti-phishing” bill.

Visit SnoweBill.com and sign now! (Re-directs to petition form)

What Else Can You Do?

• Spread the word online through social networks.
• Make a blog post about it.
• Join the ICA.
• Join the discussion at DNForum.
• Join the discussion at NamePros.
• Contact your senator here or your house representative here.

Wise Words

Declan McCullagh of CNET writes: “It contains 31 pages of new regulations that could raise the cost of doing business for legitimate companies, but will do little to stop the malcontents behind phishing attacks…; Remember, phishing is already a crime.”

Once again we here at Gizmo’s Domains would like to thank Mark for writing this blog story and getting it out to the cmmunity. please pass it along and make people aware of what is transpiring.

Gizmo’s Domains Staff