Domain Registrar Claims Patent for Domain "Hijack Protection"

[2lame2rank]

An amusing "invention" has been patented by GoDaddy - domain "hijack protection", which seems to be limited to hiding whois info (wow such an amazing invention) and declining transfer requests - which is exactly what the registrar lock already does by default.

Abstract:
A domain name registering entity ... or an independent proxy registration service may offer a domain name hijack protection to their actual or potential customers. When a domain name transfer request or notice is received in a proxy email address listed in the domain name's WHOIS records, the domain name registering entity or the proxy registration service may ignore or decline it. Customers may be given an ability to turn the domain name hijack protection service on and off, as well as an ability to adjust a variety of settings associated with the service.

I wonder, does this hijack protection patent protect GoDaddy's customers from their domains being hijacked... by GoDaddy themselves? (A frequent occurence according to many news reports.)

[edited by: Webwork at 2:50 pm (utc) on Dec. 7, 2008]

[Swanny007]

I have recently moved my most important domain away from them. I've heard some horror stories about GoDaddy basically stealing the domain away from the owner. I can't take that risk. So this does make me wonder about them hijacking domains from their customers. I have dozens of domains with NoDaddy and will be moving my important domains away from them ASAP.

[lordsbaby2007]

I Have been with GoDaddy for years and have never had a problem with them Period. They have always done me right. I have 15 Domains with them and never have they stolen a domain from me or anything else.

As far as their HiJack invention, I do wonder if it is for the customers, or for themselves, as the customer, which pays for their domain name through them and or hosts their sites ont heir servers, it seems like they would have it for their customers though.

[mvander]

ahhh, give something a catchy name, buy a patent, and whamo you have instant marketing gimmick. :)