Private domain registration
Put simply, private domain registration refers to the ability to protect your private info when registering a website or domain name (a domain name is, for instance, ConsumedConsumer.org). Normally, when you register this name, it is available for anyone to search and display using a whois query, unless you take special precautions and register it privately. Spammers have spam bots (computers or programs designed to automate spamming) that harvest this data and dump it in a database that is then used to spam you. If you register it privately, your own name, address, email and phone number are protected. Instead, your webhost will publish their corporate contact info and will handle all legal communication on your behalf. This is one more way you can reduce spam, or unneeded commercial "communication".
Ever since GoDaddy started offering private domain registrations, a "host" of webhosts followed suit. The terms of the webhost I used to purchase my domain name are not that amazing: too many disclaimers, but unfortunately, this is pretty much standard in the industry. In particular, I am concerned that costs may escalate out of control and I may not hear in time of a potential lawsuit or DMCA takedown notice or similar legal document. Hopefully, it will all work out. :)
Here is the full text of the license:
License TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PRIVATE DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION By ordering Private Domain Name Registration Services from 1&1 Internet, Inc. ("1&1"), you ("you" or "Customer") agree to the terms and conditions set forth herein. The provisions contained in these Terms and Conditions for Private Domain Name Registration (the "Agreement") incorporate and are supplemental to 1&1's General Terms and Conditions (the "1&1 GT&C"), by which you are also bound, to the extent they are not modified by this Agreement. 1. SUBJECT OF THE AGREEMENT The Agreement governs the provision of Private Domain Name Registration Services (the “Services”) to the Customer by 1&1. The Services comprise the registration and renewal of domain names using contact information provided by 1&1, as described below, which information will appear in the public WHOIS database on your behalf. 2. SERVICES PROVIDED 2.1 1&1 will acquire a Second-Level Domain Name ("Private Domain Name"), on your behalf, assuming that the Domain Name you request is available for registration. 1&1 will not own any Private Domain Name registered on your behalf under this Section. Any costs incurred by 1&1 to obtain and/or maintain the Private Domain Name on your behalf shall be charged to you by 1&1. Private Domain Names may not be transferred. The toplevel domain .us may not be registered as a Private Domain Name. 2.2 You authorize and direct 1&1 to display alternate contact information in the public WHOIS database, including names, postal address, phone number, and email address, as more particularly outlined below. 2.3 You authorize and direct 1&1 to process communications directed to you at the contact information displayed in the public WHOIS database as follows: 2.3.1 An e-mail alias pointing to your 1&1 account will be created once you have purchased the Services, and that e-mail address will be displayed in the public WHOIS database. Messages received at the e-mail address posted in the public WHOIS database for your Private Domain Name will be forwarded to the e-mail address associated with your account name or to another e-mail address, in accordance with the preferences you set in the 1&1 Control Panel. Disabling the Services will delete this e-mail address and remove it from the WHOIS database. Once an e-mail address is removed from the public WHOIS database it will no longer be a valid e-mail address for the receipt of messages. You acknowledge that you may not receive messages sent such e-mail address once the Services are disabled. 2.3.2 1&1’s corporate address will be the postal address displayed in the public WHOIS database for the Private Domain Name. You hereby authorize 1&1 to receive, sort, open, forward, and destroy any and all mail sent to 1&1 on your behalf in its sole discretion. Third class and "junk" mail will be discarded upon receipt or returned to the sender unopened. First-class mail and mail received via certified mail or courier, including but not limited to Federal Express, United Parcel Services, and similar services, will be opened and all such mail that can be scanned will be scanned and sent to you via the e-mail address associated with the 1&1 account for the Private Domain Name. You acknowledge that you will have five (5) calendar days from the date such mail is sent to you via e-mail to request in writing that a copy of such scanned mail be forwarded to you via postal mail. You acknowledge that unless you direct us otherwise in writing within such five (5) calendar day period, all such mail will be destroyed five (5) calendar days after a scanned copy is sent to you via e-mail. All mail that is unable to be scanned will be forwarded to you at your expense at the postal address associated with the account for the applicable domain name. 2.3.3 1&1 reserves the right to charge you for, and you are responsible for paying, all fees and costs associated with 1&1 forwarding postal mail. 1&1 further reserves the right to charge an administrative charge of $5.00 per item forwarded. You authorize 1&1 to apply any such charges to your credit card pursuant to the 1&1 GT&C. 2.3.4 A telephone number will be displayed in the public WHOIS database for the Private Domain Name which will be answered by a voice mail system. Callers will be informed of how to contact you using the information displayed in the public WHOIS database, however, they will not be able to leave messages. 2.4 You hereby waive any and all claims arising from your failure to receive communications directed to your domain name contact information displayed in the public WHOIS database but not forwarded to you by 1&1. You acknowledge and agree that you will not receive all communications sent to you at the contact information listed in the public WHOIS database. You further acknowledge and agree that 1&1 disclaims any and all loss or liability that may result from your use of the Services and/or your failure to receive important correspondence sent to you at the contact information displayed in the public WHOIS database, including, but not limited to, legal notices or UDRP complaints. 3. Warranties and Indemnification 3.1. You warrant that the contact information you have provided to 1&1 is and will remain accurate. You agree that you will inform 1&1 within fifteen (15) calendar days of the change of your name, mailing address, email address, telephone or telefax number. 3.2. You warrant to 1&1 that any Domain Name you may seek to register through 1&1 does not violate the rights of any third party, in particular trademark rights, and that you have taken reasonable steps, including but not limited to searches of the applicable state and federal trademark registries, to assure that this is the case. 3.3. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless 1&1, its officers, directors, employees and agents, with respect to any and all damages, losses, claims or expenses incurred with respect to or arising out of claims of third parties concerning your use of the Services or the Private Domain Name. 3.4. You acknowledge and agree that 1&1 has the absolute right and power, as it deems necessary in its sole discretion, without providing notice and without any liability to you whatsoever, to (1) reveal to third parties the contact information provided by you to 1&1 in connection with the account for the applicable domain name, (2) populate the public WHOIS database with your name, primary postal address, e-mail address and/or telephone number as provided by you to 1&1, or (3) terminate your subscription to the Services: 3.4.1 if, in 1&1’s sole discretion, you violate the terms of the 1&1 GT&C; 3.4.2 if any third party claims that the domain name violates or infringes a third party's trademark, trade name or other legal rights, whether or not such claim is valid; 3.4.3 to comply with ICANN policies or requirements, including but not limited to the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) 3.4.3 to comply with any applicable laws, government rules or requirements, subpoenas, court orders, requests of law enforcement or government agencies; or 3.4.4 if any third party threatens legal action against 1&1 that is related in any way, directly or indirectly, to the domain name, or claims that you are using the domain name registration in a manner that violates any law, rule or regulation, or is otherwise illegal or violative of a third party's legal rights. 3.5. ALL 1&1 SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO YOU ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 4. Dispute Resolution 4.1. This Agreement shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, without regard to any conflict of laws provisions. Any claim, dispute or controversy with respect to, in connection with or arising out of this Agreement shall be subject to and decided by arbitration in the City of Philadelphia, County of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by a panel of three arbitrators chosen in accordance with terms of the 1&1 GT&C. 4.2. 1&1 may without advance notice amend this Agreement or the from time to time, and will do so by posting the new Agreement on the 1&1 website in place of the old. Each and every such amendment shall be become effective immediately for all pre-existing and future accounts. It is your responsibility to periodically check the 1&1 website for updates of this Agreement.Here is their domain price list:
1&1 gives you the opportunity to secure your preferred name as your own address. Don't miss your chance! 1&1 currently offers 11 different top level domains (TLDs) to register, and we will be extending the registration service to offer you further domain addresses. The TLDs we offer are .com, .us, .net, .org, .info, .name, .mobi, .biz, .tv, .cc and .ws , which are international and help you to reach the largest possible viewing audience. Domain Price List Domain Price (US$)* Type Example .com $6.99/year (flat rate) Generic domain www.domain-of-your-choice.com .us $6.99/year (flat rate) United States of America www.domain-of-your-choice.us .net $6.99/year (flat rate) Generic domain www.domain-of-your-choice.net .org $6.99/year (flat rate) Organizations and clubs www.domain-of-your-choice.org .info $6.99/year (flat rate) Information www.domain-of-your-choice.info .name $6.99/year (flat rate) Generic personal domain www.domain-of-your-choice.name .biz $2.99** (flat rate) Generic business domain www.domain-of-your-choice.biz .tv $29.99/year (flat rate) Tuvalu (television) www.domain-of-your-choice.tv .cc $19.99/year (flat rate) Cocos (Keeling) Islands www.domain-of-your-choice.cc .ws $8.99/year (flat rate) Samoa (website) www.domain-of-your-choice.ws .mobi $19.99/year (flat rate) Mobile content www.domain-of-your-choice.mobi * Each domain additionally added to your contract has a minimum term of 1 year and will be charged for this period in advance. ** $2.99 for the first year, after that the regular price of $8.99 applies. Offer is limited to new orders and a number of 25 domains per customer and package.Echoes: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/09/17/go_daddy_offers_anonymous_domain/ http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum25/3548.htm
Comments
your generous help it is easier for me to understand and implement
the concept. Thank you for the post.