1) Yes, ICANN is blind in the sense that they are willing to turn a blind
eye to Network Solutions. Here is probably why: ICANN draws funds
from Network Solutions and its own self-sufficiency is in doubt, this from the United
States General Accounting Office letter to Congress of July 7, 2000, document B-284206,
available at the US Department of Commerce site http://www.gao.gov/new.items/og00033r.pdf
Loyalty, old relationships, and a sweetheart deal may not look so bad if one is in
on it. 2) Network Solutions strategy in hoarding expired names could well be as
follows: Person called Public wanting the expired name can contact the expired-name-owner
called Former about transferring the name to Public. Former may consent, may
want payment for his trouble, may want payment for value, ?$US cost. The transfer
papers with Former's signature must be notarized and mailed to Network Solutions.
Public must then pay to Network Solutions the amount due on Former's bill for renewal,
say $70US, and then transfer ownership by re-registering with Network Solutions at
say $70US. Network Solutions will expedite matters for $200US more, otherwise wait
indefinitely for them to maybe complete registration when they feel like it.
In any case the registration is with Network Solutions, not once but twice.
The longer Network Solutions holds the expired domain the longer some Public has
to figure this out and be willing to pay to do it. After sixty days from the
last registration the domain can be transferred to another registrar. But Network
Solutions has the money, twice. If Network Solutions were to timely delete
the name, then any registrar could register it and Network Solutions would
get nothing.
3) In light of Network Solution's operating practices, the Great
Domains for sale at their site looks suspicious. How did they get these
"Great Domains" first? A corporate veil of a separate company for Great Domains
would leave the question of interlocking ownership or boards or other relationships.
4)
On a more emotive level I must say that it appears the rabbit has been left to look
after the lettuce.