Deleted domain back in hands of gripe site.
What happens when you register a .au domain name for a gripe site about a politician behind Australia’s push for net censorship? It gets censored.
That’s what happened to the registrant of stephenconroy.com.au, who created the web site as a satirical stab at politician Stephen Conroy, who is currently Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in Australia. Conroy is behind plans for creating a country-wide firewall of sorts.
Shortly after registering the domain name, the registrant received a notice from .au administrator auDA informing it that it needed to provide evidence of its eligibility to register the domain name (i.e., some sort of connection to the name). The registrant was allegedly given only a few hours to respond, and then the site was taken down. It was then given 14 days to provide proof of eligibility, although the registrant claims auDA’s offices were closed during that period and auDA didn’t respond.
The domain was in pending delete status during this time, and then it expired. So the registrant was able to re-register stephenconroy.com.au. Just to be sure, it also formed a business named “StephenConroy” to prove eligibility to register the domain.
The domain currently shows a “censored” graphic and forwards to the gripe site’s new domain name, Stephen-Conroy.com. On the .com namespace, hopefully it’s out of the reach of Australian regulators.
Quaan says
Wow….it reminds me of how Netsol was back in 1995.
Conroy - the 'tard of 2010 says
Sucked in Conroy you bloody Fascist
Jim says
A late (or very early) contender for a Domain Dunce Award?
chandan says
this is not funny. its a warning to make some tips while regging .com.au names
Domain Gods says
Auda is 10 years behind on its rules and administration techniques. I remember reading the CEO’s statement years ago ” no one can sell domain names or buy them as names are just on lease from Auda and not owned by registrants”
years later they realise how stupid they are and auction them to high bidders themselves and then allow domain selling.
They should take out the 6 month wait period and allow a free market.