2008/09/23

Domain Name News

Kentucks Seizes 141 Gambling Domain Names

Posted: 23 Sep 2008 01:26 AM CDT

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has issued a seize order to have 141 domain names taken from their current registrants. The seizure was placed because the “domains were being used in connection with illegal gambling activity.”

There were a number of popular gambling sites listed for seizure including PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, BodogLife.com, GoldenPalace.com, Bet21.com, DoylesRoom.com and also Rick Schwartz’ IndianCasino.com. The domain names were to be immediately transferred to an account of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, although the websites will continue to run as usual until a court hearing later this month.

It seems highly unlikely this move will withstand legal challenge in court, but if it does it opens the door to all kinds of strange possibilities. If any state can claim any domains that don’t abide by local laws, it seems inevitable that these types of websites will simply be moved to a foreign registrar while remaining as profitable as ever.

Another interesting point is that some of the domains are simply parked websites with no recent history of taking any bets. Head on over to The Domains for more information on the story and a full list of the seized domains.

[via The Domains]

LogicBoxes targets ICANN Accreditation Program to Domainers

Posted: 22 Sep 2008 01:41 PM CDT

LogicBoxes, a software development and consulting company specializing in domaining, will launch an consulting program for large portfolio owners at the Traffic Conference in New York. The “Domainer Accreditation Program” will educate domainers of the many risk mitigation benefits that an ICANN Accreditation program can offer them while also helping them obtain and manage their own ICANN Accredited Registrar.

“We've recently seen a surge of enquiries for our ICANN Accreditation Consultancy services from large domainers”, said Bhavin Turakhia, CEO of LogicBoxes. “There are several compelling reasons why domainers look at obtaining an ICANN Accreditation. Apart from the benefit of eliminating the ‘middle man’ (the Registrar) between them and their portfolios, the accreditation also provides domainers with an unbeatable level of flexibility to portfolio management and even opens up newer profit centers for them.”

The Domainer Accreditation Program is geared to ensure a “red carpet treatment” which includes a dedicated account manger, compliance assistance, technical consulting, as well as a complete registrar software and is an extension of the previous accreditation consulting services.

[via LogicBoxes]

Domain Convergence, October 6-8, 2008, Niagara Falls