Do Domainers Need an Ethics Organization?

[Domainace]

Tell me if this is a stupid idea, but after reading this thread, it occured to me that domainers just might benefit from a sort of Better Business Bureau for the industry.

I haven't thought this out, but would like to hear ideas about it. My own thoughts:

To the general public, domainers are often seen as parasites and scum, assuming anyone has ever heard of us at all. This is mostly because people are unaware of the work involved, but very aware of every news story of a domain being squatted on in obvious violation of copyrights or name rights. Then, of course, there are the tragedy milkers. And, then there are all those on Ebay, selling xyz-widgets.biz for $200,000 BIN prices.

However you look at it, trust is an issue.

Now, imagine a Good Domain Practices certificate, where members in good standing can have their names listed (no, I haven't regged the dot com). Even if people have never heard of it, these things can still provide a little extra reassurance. If the certificate has an ethics requirement that is enforced, with violators being denied membership, it might take on more meaning.

A lot of industries have exactly this sort of set-up. In trading agricultural commodities, it's called PACA. And the threat of losing your PACA license is worse than the threat of a lawsuit.

Again, membership might help insure the domainer will not cheat the buyer - especially as domaining becomes better known, and even more scammers jump into the market.

Any thoughts, or am I blowing smoke out of my retrojet?

 

[Jaco]

The problem is, the internet serves a world full of people who aren't interested in the underlying factual minutiae of 'domain names'. To us, they're a big deal; we comprehend their value as e-real estate, most of us probably have a clearer long-view of the power and profit potential domain control can offer, but to John Q Public who makes up 99.999% of the internet world, nary a passing thought is given to the underlying integrity of the domain itself. Hell, when I casually mention in passing conversation that I own (whateverdomain.com), laypeople think I must be some sort of big-time web developer or business owner, just because I "OWN A DOT COM?!!?"

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that it's the nature of intelligent, planning cultures is to try and regulate things for the better. They fabricate well intentioned laws, procedures, statutes, governing bodies, etc with the hope that the benefits of order will outweigh the abuses of freedom. The internet is the opposite of that concept and whatever 'professional organization' that might be started to benefit domain names will only serve that minuscule fragment of the public who a) signs on and b) already owns them for purely above board purposes. Those who abuse them will not subscribe, thus, with such an organization, you've entered the realm of pointless, ineffective fraternity.

But lets entertain the notion.
If something like this were to be done, it would have to achieve mutual acceptance from the registrars in order to effect any sort of meaningful, positive change. To get the wheels turning, it would require the advocacy of people far more powerful and relevant (in the domain world) than any of us.

 

[footodors]

Buy low, sell high.
It's pretty simple.
Where do morals fit in?

 

[Jaco]

Buy low, sell high.
It's pretty simple.
Where do morals fit in?

Well, it CAN go too far...

 

[GreenGambler]

Ha... I just now realized that the DNOA is DOA.. wow...I guess I better take the links and seals down from my sites.. That's sucks.

I liked the idea of the DNOA and wish it would have worked or will come back stronger than before.

 

[Ross]

This is exactly what the DNOA was supposed to be. The problem was there was not enough funding or recognition in the industry. In order to get something like this going you will have to charge quite a bit, ICA, and provide something that will benefit the members and the organization as a whole. You can not just throw up an ethics page and say $50 to join.

ICA, maybe a load of crock but they have representatives, meetings, and actually do a little something for the members in it. This is why the fees are so high, cuz it takes a lot of money to run something like this.

Sorry to poop on some peoples parade but this not something that can be half assed or passively done, more than likely will take up most of the peoples time that want to create it and at that with little pay. Good Luck, i will join if it ever gets off the ground !

 

[Domainace]

Well, Ross. That was a thread ender!

Like I said when I posted, it was just an idea. As the thread went on, I realized that it would mean a lot of unpaid work for someone. A whole lot. And then I started feeling vaguely ashamed for starting the thread when I knew I sure as heck wasn't going to be that someone.

I'll just crawl off and reg exploitable-and-trademarked-tragedy-of-the-week.com

 

[Ross]

LOL, i am not saying it can not be done. Simply saying that it takes a lot of work and determination to get such an organization off the ground and have some sort of credibility. At least you said something, most people just look the other way.