Look at this post I just found on Sphinn.com: Domain Registry or America don’t like my Google rank for their name
This is a great example of FUD: Fear, uncertainty and doubt. The company Domain Registry of America is threatening to sue a blogger, because she has written two posts about them and appears in the SERP’s on the keyword Domain Registry of America.
These posts are ranking really well:
The two posts were not that positive by the way, so Domain Registry of America would like to have these removed.
Look at this:
Domain Registry of America are not happy with me. But the feeling’s mutual. They emailed me earlier this year when they discovered that one or two of my blog posts were ranking in Google’s top 10 SERPs for their name:
“It has been brought to our attention that you published or caused to be published an internet bulletin containing words that are false, misleading and defamatory to our firm. Your publication has caused and continues to cause Domain Registry of America irreparable damages and we intend to hold you responsible for these damages both past and present. You are hereby notified that we demand these false, misleading and defamatory statements mentioned above that you have published or have caused to be published be removed by no later than 15 days of your receipt of this notice.
If we do not receive written notification that these publications have been removed by the above deadline we will without further warning, advise our lawyers to commence a lawsuit in an Ontario court for damages and a permanent and interlocutory injunction restraining you, your employees, agents and representatives from making and publishing such publications.”
This is one of the biggest bullshit I’ve seen. What Kalena is writing on her blog is her business. If that is not favorable for your company, deal with it. Don’t try to scare people of with a case of FUD. And from the pieces that are under discussion here, Kalena has every right to publish the story.
Look at the piece in her post on the research she has done:
I conducted some research on DROA and learned some interesting facts:
1) In December 2003, the Federal Trade Commission found that Domain Registry of America violated the FTC Act by misleading consumers in the marketing of Internet domain name services.
2) The same month, the FTC requested that a Federal district court issue an order requiring the Domain Registry of America pay redress to 50,000 consumers.
3) Despite being prohibited by the FTC from engaging in similar conduct, it appears to be business as usual at Domain Registry of America.
4) DROA allegedly operate under various names, including The Domain Registry of America, Domain Registry of Europe and EU Registry Services.
5) DROA apparently have offices worldwide, with letters received from DROA addresses in the UK, Europe, Australia and the US.
6) A lot of registrars have issued warning messages about Domain Registry of America letters on their web sites.
7) There are a lot of consumers who believe they have been duped by DROA into renewing their domains and they are complaining online.
It just strikes me that a company that is working in the Internet space, does not at all understand Public Relations in the Internet space. This issue will only blow up in their face more and more. Especially if they will continue to send these letters. Their lawyers and PR team should read Robert Scoble’s book: Naked conversations.
Have a look at the SERP’s when you look for Domain Registry of America:
First place is for the domain itself, but then you get into the more interesting stuff.
On number 3: – Court Bars Canadian Company from Misleading Consumers in Marketing … The Federal Trade Commission has requested that a federal district court enjoin Domain Registry of America, Inc., an Internet domain name re-seller, …
On number 4: – About the “Domain Registry of America“ Here is an example of “renewal” notices being sent by Domain Registry of America to customers of easyDNS and other registrars. …
On number 5: – Court bars Canadian domain slammer | The Register Domain Registry of America (DROA) told consumers that their domain … Domain Registry of America, based in Ontario, Canada, is prohibited from engaging in …
On number 6: – Domain Registry of America A large number of customers are reporting receiving letters from either The Domain Registry of America, Domain Registry of Europe or EU Registry Services. …
On number 7: – boycot domain registry of america
On number 8: – Ask Kalena: Domain Registry of America Don’t Like My Google Rank … Domain Registry of America Don’t Like My Google Rank For Their Name.
Seems that DROA has a serious image problem. They lost a court case which was covered on CNet:
Domain name registrar Register.com won a preliminary injunction against a competitor for alleged “domain name slamming,” or filching customers without their knowledge.
The case pits Register.com against the Domain Registry of America (DROA), which it accuses of misleading Register.com customers into switching their domain name registrations.
So bring it on Domain Registry of America. Kalena, Good luck, I’m with you!