peted - 2:20 am on Jan 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

For a long time I assumed when I registered a domain name that I had a license to use it and I was therefore a licensee. Implicit in this assumption was that some other entity was the licensor/owner. But I'm not so sure anymore. I think one does own a domain name during the term of its registration. The best discussion to date (of which I am aware) of the legal nature of a domain name is the Network Solutions v. Umbro case, which is published at [gigalaw.com...] In my opinion, the Virginia Supreme Court clearly got it wrong, but the dissenting Chief Justice and the Senior Justice nailed it in their dissent. Unfortunately, dissents aren't the law. So the legal nature of domain names is still unresolved, and no one seems to be able to figure out just what they are. If the registrant doesn't own the name, then who does? I'd like to hear some opinions on this. * The great aspect of a bona fide auction is that everyone gets a bite at the apple. No sub rosa stuff.