Network Solutions which stuffed .XYZ domain names into customers account for free, is at it again this time with the new gTLD .Design.
Customers of Network Solutions are receiving notices that they are being given a free .Design domain, matching a domain name owned by the customer in a Network Solutions account, under the premise of “Brand Protection” using the “C” word many times; yes Cybersquatting”‘ “Cybersquatters”
As in the case of .XYZ domains that were pushed into customer’s accounts, the .Design domains will not auto renew.
However in my opinion, the premise of giving away the free domain as “Brand Protection” is more problematic than the .XYZ promotion which was worded as a bonus or thank you gift to loyal customers and throwing around the “C” words, is even more problematic.
Consider that the email that a reader forwarded to me contained a three letter domain, certainly nothing to do with Cybersquatting or Cybersquatters
You can see how the .XYZ free domain name email was worded here.
.Design is owned by the new gTLD registry Top Level Design which is led by one of the founders of SnapNames.com Ray King which also owns .wiki.
This is how the email from NetworkSolutions.com giving away the free .Design email reads:
“”At Network Solutions we take brand protection seriously.
We’re happy to have you as one of our most valued customers and as your registrar we want to make sure you protect your brand equity and reputation online.
As you already know, a business’s most valuable asset is its good name, its brand and reputation.
Cybersquatting (also known as domain squatting) is registering, trafficking in, or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. Anyone can register a domain name using another’s trademarked name.
Unfortunately, the cost of recovering that name from a Cybersquatter can be thousands of dollars; not to mention the financial loss resulting from brand and reputational damage. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cybersquatting and this has left companies with significant brand, reputational and financial damage.
Because domain names can be very valuable, Cybersquatters continuously find new and innovative ways to exploit individuals or companies.
In order to help protect your brand, we created a Brand Protection program to protect our most valued customers by awarding you with complimentary access to a 1-year registration on a .DESIGN domain.
To go along with your new domain, you’ll also receive a year of Website Forwarding and Private Registration for your .ONLINE domain – At no charge to you*
Your Complimentary Domain
XXXXXXXXXX.DESIGN (pending availability)
If you choose not to use this domain, no action is needed and you will not be charged any fees in the future. Should you decide to keep the domain after your complimentary first year, simply renew it like any other domain in your account.
If you choose to not participate in this program, simply click on the following link by March 15, 2016.
http://marketing.networksolutions.com/info-opt-out/
Our Brand Protection program is one of the most reliable and effective ways to protect your brand from being hijacked or exploited.
If you have any questions about this program please call our Brand Protect team at 1-888-642-0209.
Your brand and reputation online remains our top priority. The Brand Protection program represents another significant step forward toward protecting your business.
Network Solutions Customer Support
www.networksolutions.com””
