A domain investor whose .US domain expired and dropped is using some scare tactics to get it back from the new registrant, another domain investor.
According to an email shared via Twitter, the former registrant of the .US domain name is threatening to file a report about non-compliance with the .US Nexus requirement. Popular domain investor, Tony “Names” received the email that reads as follows:
Hello,
I noticed you are squatting on [domain redacted] domain. I also noticed you are not eligible to hold .us TLD.
I am going to file a complaint with the US Department of Commerce against you and your registrar namesilos. I wanted to give you an option to release the domain before I do so. If I file a complaint, I am sure it will cause unnecessary problems.
Why am I interested – It was my domain that got released because my credit card expired and I did not realize it. You can transfer the domain back to me and I will not file the complaint. I am sure you are holding on to other domains you are not eligible for. Send the domain back to me and I will not file the complaint and cause you to lose your other domains.
Yes, I am eligible to hold .us TLD.
Let me know within 12 hours.
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Regards,
KC
Obviously, this is a nasty attempt at reclaiming a domain name that was lost due to one’s own fault. To attempt to get it back using such tactics is indicative of low ethics among one’s peers in the domain industry.
What is the Nexus requirement for .US domain names?
The U.S. Nexus Requirement aims to guarantee that only individuals or organizations with a significant association to the United States are eligible to register .us domain names. To qualify for a .us domain name, you must meet one of the following three requirements:
1. Individuals:
– A natural person who is either a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories.
– A natural person whose primary place of residence is in the United States of America or any of its possessions.2. Entities or Organizations:
– An entity or organization incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories.
– An entity or organization established or constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, or any of its possessions or territories.3. Entities or Organizations with Bona Fide Presence:
– An entity or organization, whether domestic or foreign, including federal, state, or local government entities of the United States or its political subdivisions, that has a genuine presence in the United States.
– Bona fide presence in the United States refers to having significant and lawful connections with, or engaging in lawful activities within, the United States.This requirement is in place to ensure that only individuals or organizations with a substantial lawful connection to the United States are eligible to register for .us domain names.
While these requirements are in place, they are not enforced automatically; one simply acknowledges that they are in compliance. What happens when someone files a report that there are violations of the Nexus Requirement?
The domain most likely gets reclaimed by the Registrar.
It is not clear how this will all play out but using such threats is clearly not the way to go.
The only thing the registry cares about is getting their renewal fee.