Politician's domain expires and gets picked up for dating page

DomainReport.ca - This story broke over the weekend and is making the rounds in domaining circles. It's a good example of the type of registration that can bring more trouble than it's worth. The person who bought this name was probably thinking that the domain gets visitors, and has now put up a page to make income off these visitors. But the visitors are not looking for a dating site, they are expecting to find information on the politician when they arrive. Most people are probably clicking away as soon as they land on the page. I don't know all the details, but it isn't the kind of registration I like to make. Even without the bad press, the traffic on this domain would likely die down over time, it isn't targetted to dating, and the effort spent on this domain would be better used to build something with more long term value. The other issue is that this domain is very specific, a person's name that isn't common. Domains of previous websites get dropped all the time, but if they are generic terms that could have other use or value, then there is no problem with someone registering it for another purpose. Sometimes domain buyers get faulted for picking up expired domains they have every right to, but I don't think that is the case here.

MP facing 'virtual extortion' over his former website

A Liberal MP is a little red-faced after an expired website of his was bought and now links to an online dating service for seniors looking for younger partners.

Rodger Cuzner, the MP for Cape Breton-Canso, was informed this week where rodgercuzner.ca is now pointing to and he was also told that the new owners want $500 before they will give it back.

Cuzner had owned the domain for years but said someone purchased it on Feb. 25, two days after its registration expired.

Full story here:

http://www.theprovince.com/Life/facing+virtual+extortion+over+former+website/1365840/story.html


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