Shiningmonkey.com Hi-Jacked by Domain Name Cyber Squatters

[Dave Zan]

http://www.hostreview.com/news/news/060216SHININGMONKEY.html

Shining Monkey Inc., manufacturer of premium car care products was a victim of a widely reported domain name cyber squatting attack. The incident, which took place between 4:30 AM ET and 7:45 AM ET on Sunday, February 5th, was caused by a sophisticated, large-scale attack on domain names across the Internet. As a result, Shining Monkey's popular www.shiningmonkey.com domain name was stolen. A large-scale dispute that includes numerous companies has been filed with government officials. In the meantime, Shining Monkey will operate under the domain name, www.shiningmonkey.net.

Initial investigations with technical support at the domain’s registrar, claims it was a completely legal transfer of ownership of the domain. However, they now claim the domain was expired and open to the public. “Register.com does not determine the legality of domain names registered through our site… Register.com neither acts as arbiter nor provides resolution of disputes between registrants and third party complaints arising out of the registration or use of a domain name.” A statement made from a register.com customer service manager. While investigations still continue there, Shining Monkey Inc., trademark holders for the domain is pressing forward with the domain dispute to litigation with ICANN, the governing body for all registered domains worldwide. The company that now has the domain hostage is in clear violation of the (ACPA) Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act of 1999, which is embodied in the Lanham Act.

The problem was quickly detected by Shining Monkey's automated monitoring systems, and its personnel mitigated the attack by working closely with customers, making key adjustments in the Company's infrastructure, and cooperating with several network partners around the world to shut down the source of the attack. Furthermore, Shining Monkey is cooperating with U.S. Federal law enforcement agencies that are investigating the incident.

 

[DNGeeks]

If they didn't renew it, it's their own damn fault. Sure it sucks and would suck even more if it happened to me, but if you don't pay attention then someone has to be blamed. And the domain controller/owner is the only one responsible.

 

[actnow]

Dave,

You are not buying into the claims of Shining Monkey?

The domain expired 12-24-05. Register.com auctioned it off thru Snapnames around
2-2-06. The company had a number of days to renew it after the expiration date.

And, I'm sure someone got a number of notices that the domain was expiring.
(I see that the admin. email address was an AOL acct.)

Created on..............: Wed, Dec 24, 2003
Expires on..............: Sat, Dec 24, 2005
Record last updated on..: Mon, Dec 26, 2005

And, the staff realized it on 2-5-06 ???? Sharp staff !!!!

Instead of admitting that someone screwed up.

They claim they were the victums of a
"widely reported domain name cyber squatting attack".

Is that's what they call it when you don't pay the bill?


:laugh:

 

[DNGeeks]

Not that it'll make a difference, but I thought I'd stick it to em a little. Hoefully it'll piss someone off in their office today. And no, until this thread I'd never heard of them.


Thank you for your feedback Bruce

This is the information you submitted
Name: Bruce
State: OT
Email: [email protected]
Comments: I am dismayed at the level of ignorance your company has shown in it's recent press release.

You state that the .com was hijacked yet whois records clearly show that your company allowed the domain to expire. Now you attempt to use the media to influence visitors.

It was your own ignorance and your own mistake yet you do not own up to it. As a company you need to grow up and become more responsible.

Fire the domain administrator if you haven't secretly done that already. Now do the right thing and offer to buy back the domain from the person who won it at the auction that Register.com initiated.

Register.com is not responsible for this gaffe, you are. Please stop lying to the public and face up to the truth.

Now go ahead and cover up your mistake and submit the domain for WIPO resolution and you'll get it for a few thousand dollars and damage your reputation with anyone who knows anything about the domain name business.

 

[El Camino]

But if the domain expired 12-24-05 wouldn't it still be in redemption on 2-2-06?

 

[Edder]

But if the domain expired 12-24-05 wouldn't it still be in redemption on 2-2-06?

Redemption periods can vary for each registrar..

 

[peekaboo]

monkey business.

 

[Anthony Ng]

Redemption periods can vary for each registrar..

Registry-level RGP (redemption grace period) remains 30 calendar days; however, registrars' own grace periods could vary from 0 - 44 days.

 

[Dave Zan]

Dave,

You are not buying into the claims of Shining Monkey?

The domain expired 12-24-05. Register.com auctioned it off thru Snapnames around
2-2-06. The company had a number of days to renew it after the expiration date.

And, I'm sure someone got a number of notices that the domain was expiring.
(I see that the admin. email address was an AOL acct.)

Created on..............: Wed, Dec 24, 2003
Expires on..............: Sat, Dec 24, 2005
Record last updated on..: Mon, Dec 26, 2005

And, the staff realized it on 2-5-06 ???? Sharp staff !!!!

Instead of admitting that someone screwed up.

They claim they were the victums of a
"widely reported domain name cyber squatting attack".

Is that's what they call it when you don't pay the bill?


:laugh:

That's actually what I was waiting for: someone to confirm when the domain
had expired. Thanks, actnow!

Too bad many people see it differently, especially when done without giving
further thought. It can't really be helped there are those out there who really
believe they exclusively own the domain name no matter what.

Some people...sheesh...

 

[Limit$]

Why doesn't he just rebuy it?