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Watchdog slams Domain Registry of Europe
Monday, August 19 2002
by The Register


The Advertising watchdog has slammed Domain Registry of Europe (DRoE) for
misleading consumers over its mailshots that 'look like bills.' 









Last month, The
Register reported how the Canada-based domain registration outfit is currently
targeting domain holders in the UK with unsolicited letters that readers claim
resemble bills, writes Tim Richardson. 



In Ireland, Web site owners and businesses have also informed ElectricNews.Net
that they too have received letters from the Domain Registry of Europe that
appear to be bills at first glance.



DRoE maintains that the letters point out that the notice is "not a bill,
rather an easy means of payment should you decide to register or renew your
domain(s) with us." 



However, that has not satisfied the Advertising Watchdog Authority (ASA) in the
UK. A document seen by The Register reveals that the ASA is highly critical of
DRoE's approach and demanded that it revises its letters to ensure they are
clearly marked as an advertisement. 



Said the ASA in correspondence to one of those people who complained about DRoE's
tactics: "We consider that the mailing suggests that it is an official notice,
that it misleadingly exaggerates the importance of the mailing's content and that
it fails to indicate clearly that this is an advertisement. 



"We have therefore asked for the advertisers' assurance that the mailing is
amended to delete the words "IMPORTANT NOTICE" and other suggestions that
exaggerate the status of the mailing and that it states clearly from the outset
that the material is an advertisement." If DRoE fails to amend its documents
then the ASA said it would consider "pursuing the matter further." 



The ASA declined to comment on the matter except to say that it had written to
the DRoE and that the company was under investigation. 





Those behind the complaint to the ASA have also reported DRoE to Trading
Standards officers. 





Separately, UK domain name registrars, Internetters, has called on the industry
to adopt a code of
practice to deter what it calls "cowboy registrars" from riding roughshod
over the Net. 



It believes a code of practice would help deter cybersquatters and disreputable
domain name registrars. It also believes an industry wide code of practice would
result in better service for customers and lead to a decrease in the number of
domain name scams. 





The Register and its contents are
copyright 2002 Situation Publishing. Reprinted with permission.