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EU: NetNames calls for Competition Commission action over ‘.sucks’

By  |  July 8, 2015

This week NetNames has reached out to the media to highlight its complaint to the European Competition Commission over Vox Populi’s pricing policies for the ‘.sucks’ string.

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    Online brand protection company NetNames has filed a complaint with the European Commission, arguing that charging brand owners $1,999 per year while others pay just $10 is unfair.

    Vox Populi demanded $1,999 from brands during sunrise, with yearly renewals charged at the same rate. But during general availability, which opened in late June, consumers only had to part with $199 for a .sucks domain.

    The registry has “created an uneven pricing structure that effectively charges brands a premium fee irrespective of when they applied to register” a .sucks domain, according to NetNames.

    Gary McIlraith, CEO at NetNames, said: “This differentiation in price, for the same domain which is determined by whether you are a brand holder or an individual, has created an uneven playing field.”

    Full content: The Domains

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