Domain Tasting is being abused

[Ben Bradshaw <ben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

First of all thank you for the opportunity to comment on Domain Tasting.

The concept of tasting is not a bad one, however it is being badly 
abused by domain registrars themselves. I refer mostly to Network 
Solutions, however I am sure they are no the only ones. It is clear that 
Network Solutions has no intention of making a website on the domains 
they are registering, instead they lock the domain to themselves for the 
5 day grace period. This practice damages the credibility of the Domain 
Name System. If a search of the DNS results in that domain being taken, 
who nobody will want to search it in case they lose their name.
I registered my domain through a registrar that does not follow this 
practice, in fact I searched many different names using a few New 
Zealand registrars before purchasing. I did not have to consider 
front-running, nor should I have to.
I do not see the potential benefits outweighing the potential issues 
with tasting. I would request either strict regulation of tasting to 
ensure honest testing and swift resolution of issues such as those with 
Network Solutions or preferably removal of the entire system. A paid 
grace period is also an option. A reduced cost for 5 days may reduce the 
mass registrations that plague the system.
I do not see the cost of a single domain name as substantial, especially 
when considering how much an advertiser can make. I am also biased due 
to the fact that I don't intent to taste a domain name, but I can suffer 
as a result of the system existing. I believe most individuals fall into 
this category however.
In summary, I would prefer to see the ability to taste removed, or at 
minimum restricted, either by cost or by control.
Thank you
Ben Bradshaw