[sf-lug] How sf-lug.info ended up on the Network Solutions / Web.com account along with sf-lug.{org, com}

Sat Jan 2 20:22:38 PST 2016

Well, looking at whois for the domain, and guestimating at least
approximately when, prior to that, things may have happened/changed -
apparently tracked down what happened.

Sometime after the sf-lug.{org,com} domain had retroactively expired -
apparently they were autorenewed on credit or debit card (at their full
list/book rate), that was apparently subsequently challenged *after*
the domains had been renewed but would have otherwise expired,
apparently through financial institution, charges were reversed by
financial institution, apparently then Network Solutions / Web.com then
put the account in bad standing and took over the domains for
themselves, pending restitution of what they'd earlier been paid but
had subsequently had the charges reversed (at least best I understand
it - also other things happened subsequent to that).  Anyway, while we
were trying to get that whole mess corrected, one of the things I did
in my attempts was to change the admin and/or contact email address(s)
on the account and/or domains to one I'd (also) receive (I did also
inform at least Jim of that at that time) - in hopes of fixing the mess
and/or getting the domains transferred - I wasn't successful in that
(though Asheesh was!  :-)).  In any case, working backwards from
sf-lug.info expiration time subtracting a year and searching around
there (which was subsequent to the sf-lug.{org,com} retroactive
expiration and such, and where I'd subsequently changed the email),
thought I'd dig and see if I had access to any such relevant mail
(Network Solutions / Web.com tends to send tons of "marketing" (spam!)
email (they also make it difficult to opt out of such - you actually
have to call them, and it takes many days before it takes effect - of
course on phone they'll try to sell you more of something).  Anyway,
did search and find the email (slightly redacted) below.

"Of course" they push it as a "service" to their customers.  It's
marginally (if at all) so.  It cost them something around like a dollar
to add the domain (if even that), and while they have it "parked", they
potentially gain significant ad revenue, and also get a feel (traffic)
for how valuable the domain may potentially be - to their customer(s)
and/or anyone else they might want to sell it off to.  What, you think
they were doing it out of the goodness of their hearts?  Anyway, with
that trace of introduction, here's that (slightly redacted) email
further below:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Network Solutions <NetworkSolutions at info1.networksolutions.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 8:01 AM
Subject: Brand Protection Program
To: [REDACTED]

[image: Network Solutions]
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
Need Help?
1-888-642-0209

BRAND PROTECTION NOTICE

Dear JIM STOCKFORD,

At Network Solutions we take brand protection seriously.

We're happy to have you as one of our most valued customers and as your
registrar we want to make sure you protect your brand equity and reputation
online.

As you already know, a business's most valuable asset is its good name, its
brand and reputation.

Cybersquatting (also known as domain squatting) is registering, trafficking
in, or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from
the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. Anyone can register
a domain name using another's trademarked name. Unfortunately, the cost of
recovering that name from a Cybersquatter can be thousands of dollars; not
to mention the financial loss resulting from brand and reputational damage.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cybersquatting
and this has left companies with significant brand, reputational and
financial damage.

Because domain names can be very valuable, Cybersquatters continuously find
new and innovative ways to exploit individuals or companies.

In order to help protect your brand, we created a Brand Protection program
to protect our most valued customers by awarding you with complimentary
access to a 1-year registration on a .INFO domain, one of the most popular
domain extensions. To go along with your new SF-LUG.INFO domain, you'll
also receive Website Forwarding and Private Registration for your .INFO
domain - At no charge to you*.

Your Complimentary Domain
SF-LUG.INFO (pending availability)

If you choose not to use this domain, no action is needed and you will not
be charged any fees in the future. Should you decide to keep the domain
after your complimentary first year, simply renew it like any other domain
in your account.

*If you choose to not participate in this program, simply click on the
following link by September 21, 2015. *

http://marketing.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>

Our Brand Protection program is one of the most reliable and effective ways
to protect your brand from being hijacked or exploited.

If you have any questions about this program please call our Brand Protect
team at
1-888-642-0209.

Your brand and reputation online remains our top priority. The Brand
Protection program represents another significant step forward toward
protecting your business.

Network Solutions Customer Support
www.networksolutions.com
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
[image: Connect With Us] [image: Twitter]
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
[image:
Google Plus]
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
[image:
Facebook]
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
*Brand Protection Program applies to first year of domain registrations and
related services only, after which then-current renewal rates shall apply.
Current renewal prices: .INFO domain registration is $34.99/yr., domain
privacy is $9.99/yr., and URL forwarding is $12.99/yr.

Current pricing shown is subject to change based on the sole discretion of
Network Solutions. This offer is not transferable and is only available to
the intended recipient.

Please note that domain names are registered on a first-come, first-served
basis. There is no guarantee that any domain name identified in this email
will be available at the time of fulfillment. Network Solutions shall have
no obligation to fulfill the offer in the case where an identified domain
name is no longer available at the time of fulfillment. Additional service
terms and conditions also apply.

The opt-out period for this offer ends on September 21, 2015

Please do not reply to this email. Replying to this email will not secure
your services. To unsubscribe from emails, visit our Communications
Preferences
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
page. Please note that unsubscribing from our marketing emails will not
affect important transactional correspondence such as administrative and
renewal notices related to your account. Please review our Privacy Policy
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
for any questions related thereto and please see our Service Agreement
<http://info1.networksolutions.com/[REDACTED]>
governing our products and services.

Network Solutions® and Web.com® are registered trademarks of Web.com Group,
Inc. All other registered trademarks herein are the property of their
respective owners.

----- End forwarded message -----