The Registrar Privacy/Trust Issue…Who Has Access to That Info & What They Can Do With It??

Morning Folks!!


This is no way to end a year nor way to start a new one. But not my choice. It has been lingering for 2 weeks now and this is very difficult as I know everyone involved.


As I stated in the earlier post, this does not directly involve me but if Privacy and Trust is something important to you, than you might want to pay attention. These are the facts as I know them.


This is an unfortunate event that cannot be swept under the rug and ignored even though it should have been told 2 weeks ago when it happened by the company involved and not me. I agreed to hold this until December 31 which was against my better judgement and I am truly disappointed this is now in my lap.


If you don’t want to know the facts or want to shoot the messenger, just don’t read any further because there is nothing pleasurable ahead and no matter which side you may eventually come down on, you will have a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach.


I wish the folks at Moniker/Oversee were writing this and not me. I was under the impression they would and do it before today. I urged them in the strongest way I know. But they knew if they did not step up, others would and the story would be made public. This is the story they have failed to tell you and of course I only know some of the details. As a customer from the earliest days, I am not happy to see this.


This involves a domain under privacy, the customer that owned that domain, and the employee that works for the registrar that misused that info by contacting the employer of this customer. Got that?


Then we have an employee of Moniker who not only looked at protected info, but took it a step or two further as you will read below.


Now none of this would have come out had an email not been sent to the domainer's employer from this employee of Moniker about this person I know VERY well who owned a certain domain name under privacy. The motivation is the name of this Moniker Employee with “Sucks.com” on the end.


It gets more complicated because the email sent from the info the Moniker employee obtained was less than flattering towards this person. It brings up all types of issues, legal and otherwise whether we want to bring them up or not. You can stop reading whenever you like.


I know about it because this domainer called me very upset on Saturday December 18th wanting to know what I thought. I was pretty shocked to hear the details and could understand why he would be so upset. One question would lead to another and another. That was before I even knew who was involved. It was a jaw dropping conversation and in all the years I have known this domainer, I have never even seen him aggravated. 2 weeks later he is still angry.


On the 18th I got a copy of the email this domainer sent to Craig Snyder and Jeff Kupietsky. In part:


'A Moniker employee was in my account, saw a name that they had an issue with (which was on Moniker Privacy). The employee then decided to email a major player in the industry, who is a Moniker client, and who is also my current employer. The email the Moniker employee sent was malicious, attacking me and my character for owning this name.'


On Wednesday morning December 22nd I get a call from the domainers employer and he conferences me into a call with Craig Snyder of Moniker. The new GM now that Monte had left earlier in the month. That was the first time I became officially involved.


There is no need to go into details of that 45 minute call other than to say that both the employer and I were surprised and then some to learn the employee still had access to the company and information pending an investigation to find out the facts.


I told Craig that they had an obligation to understand the gravity of what I would term a “Breach” to their customers of which I am one. I was under the impression that he fully understood. But there were deals in the works and he did not want to upset them. I was pretty surprised to learn the employee still had access to Moniker. I told Craig that you would figure the minimum would be to not have that employee have access pending a further investigation of the facts. Facts that were not even in dispute.


To make a long story short, we agreed not to tell the story until the 31st and that they really need to get out in front of it because it should have been made public that day. But it was Christmas week etc. etc. etc. Deals pending. They needed some time. But if there was no statement from them by then we would be compelled to state the facts as we have them and I have not heard them disputed whatsoever. I told Craig it would look much better coming from them and not us. Day after day passed. Not a word.


So this domainer will provide me a time line of the facts that I will be posting. I am sorry to be involved in this, but it is like a hot potato that nobody wants to touch and sweeping it under the rug is not an option. I would have much rather Moniker put out the statement. Their breach, their responsibility. I don’t know what is so difficult about just doing the right thing and doing it timely instead of this? How many meetings do you need and how many days just to do the right thing? Whatever right turns out to be. So here we are. Not even so much as a statement. The burden on others to either make it public or join them in sweeping it under the rug.


This is not good from the look of things and you’ll have to come to your own conclusions. Who has access to what and how can they use and abuse the information?? This question needs to be asked no matter who you are doing business with. In this case they made the fatal mistake of involving several other parties. Then letting it fester for 2 weeks and forcing an uninvolved 3rd party to make it public. More will surely come now that it is in the light of day. So if you don't want to know, then just forget you read this and anything else that may come out.


It is not my job to put out any names. These are the FACTS as I know them. I still would urge Moniker/Oversee to make this 100% transparent because it will come out with them or without them in time.


Regretfully


Rick Schwartz


Here is an email update I just received and verification just received 25 minutes AFTER this post:



Date:

Fri, Dec 31, 2010 11:25 am


'Moniker has learned that one of its employees violated company policy by gaining unauthorized access to customer data for a single domain name registration. The employee has been placed on administrative leave while the company further reviews the matter.


Only one employee and one customer registration were involved. However, unauthorized data access of any kind, no matter how large or small, is an issue taken very seriously by Moniker and by its parent company, Oversee.net, and is being addressed directly.'


Regards,


Mason Cole
Mason Cole

VP Communications & Industry Relations

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BREAKING!!! Another Day, Another Domain Industry Scandal

Evening Folks!!


In the hours/days ahead the Domain Industry will be rocked by yet another MAJOR scandal by a MAJOR industry company. It’s not my place to state what it is tonight. It will come out soon enough. I am not involved directly. We may all be involved indirectly and the ramifications are serious.


I have been reluctantly sitting on this story for more than 10 days now and what happened should NOT be coming from me and hope it does not. Either way the facts will be coming out tomorrow.


Business as usual will not survive 2011. Things will and must change.
Have a GREAT Day!


Rick Schwartz
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Candy.com to Sell for $300 Million!!!? YES! But When?

Morning Folks!!


After selling Candy.com just 18 months ago for $3 Million and other considerations, I got my first Royalty Check a few weeks ago. As Jackie Gleason used to say…..”How Sweet it is!”


But that is not the story today. Today I am just making sure that I am first to post the headline about the sale of Candy.com that will eventually happen and it will be for hundreds of millions of dollars. I believe $300 Million will be the eventual sales price as Candy.com has been transformed from a parked page to a world class business doing millions of dollars in online transactions and poised to do tens of millions and beyond as they continue to do a great job of marketing and growing their company in a 21st century way using 20th century basics. The only question I see is WHEN will it cross the $300 Million threshold?


Before you think my price is out of line, let me take a moment to say that by all standard accounting numbers, the value has already gone from $3M to in excess of $50M in the first 18 months. When you factor in growth over the next decade, Candy.com will be $500 Million and more. That is why I believe that it will sell for $300M and it may be sooner than even I think. 2011? Doubtful. 2012? It will be at the 9 figure mark. 2013? They'll be taking a good sniff. 2014? BINGO!! The only snag in that is in 2014 when it will be mathematically be worth $300 million, they would be crazy to sell it at that point because the trajectory would be much greater than anything one can even fathom right now.


Now I am not without motive. If and when Candy.com sells again, I get a “Kings Ransom”. So why not try and get the ball rolling? If asked I would tell Greg and Joe that $300 Million would be the price to take if you were going to sell today. But sales are a moving target. Every day of growth by Candy.com, every day of dominance, every day of getting new customers, is a day that the value and importance just increases. They also become harder and harder to compete with. But sshhhhhh…..don’t tell their competition that they are about to eat their lunch. Let’s just keep it between us girls. The accountants will tell them soon enough.


Why? Because it is Candy.com, the domain, is only a little of the story. When I look back at the deal we made, I saw the perfect image of what I was looking for all these years. Knowledge, passion, smarts, energy. All that back up by a company in business for many decades. And it is exactly that when MATCHED with a great domain name that truly makes the difference. It has to be next to perfect. Al things aligned for it to work. This one in in align and it is just so much fun to watch and be part of.


Candy.com with a Thanksgiving Day Float? Candy.com with new divisions? Candy.com with retail outlets? Passion does BIG things.


So if the domain sells in 2014 for example, $300 Million would be the number. As time goes on that price will approach $500 Million. Growth, dominance and a category leader domain before you even peel back the business plan. Candy.com will show the world what is possible selling PENNY candies and doing it worldwide and in bulk. Wholesale, retail, gifting, this will do nothing but expand and when it does it will demonstrate the true power of a domain name when married to a great business run by energetic and determined individuals. Nothing will be able to illustrate nor magnify what I have been saying all these years better than following this sale. To me the ONLY variable is WHEN it happens. Generally it happens when you become a thorn in the side of a giant or you see a company in an allied field that would like to expand and want to do it before it becomes out of reach. Out of reach varies with different people. That's why sales like this will happen sooner rather than later.


Now I have not run this by the guys at Candy.com and I hope they don’t fall off their seat when they read this, but fellas, $300 million should at least get you to the table.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz


T.R.A.F.F.I.C. to Announce 2011 Florida Show and Cabana Party

Morning Folks!!


The Cabana Party Will Start on Friday October 14th


It will continue ALL –DAY Saturday October 15th and on until 6PM Sunday the 16th when TRAFFIC 2011 holds it’s legendary opening night party.


We have been hard at work since October. We have negotiated contracts for 2011, 2012 and 2013 and are excited about what is in store for you.


What I can announce today is that the 2011 show will NOT be at the Loew’s. We have upgraded! Reserved the entire hotel including all cabanas and will be releasing the details on New Year’s Eve!!


Sponsor Kits will be available next Monday January 3rd. Registration will be opening in mid-late January with our Early Bird Discounts.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

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BREAKING: Will TODAY be the Busiest Online Day…..EVER??

Morning Folks!!


I am seeing something historic starting to develop. The day after Christmas is a mammoth of a retail day. But it was a Sunday and may not have been like normal. Then factor in the biggest blizzard to hit the Northeast since the Internet has really become what it is. A snowstorm that has parlayed the south all the way to Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Europe still getting back to normal. Freezing temperatures reaching deep into Florida making the millions here for the beaches go do something else. Schools throughout the world closed for the holidays and many BILLIONS just taking the week off.


I am looking at the early numbers today and I am starting to see something HISTORIC developing. I may be wrong. But I am on the hunt and if it happens I may be the first to see it. The first to report on it and you folks the first to understand it. How incredible it would be to have it happen on this special anniversary for me.


Stay tuned and let us know what YOUR numbers look like today.


Rick Schwartz


And Around the Turn We Come. Year 16 Starts Today.

Morning Folks!


It took them 24 hours to send me the invoice for the very first domain I registered. Actually the ISP registered. It was nearly 6 months later before I actually registered my own domain directly via Network Solutions. Who would have known that one little decision like that would be so life changing? You never know in what form the next great success looks like until you look back. When you do look back, it teaches you that when you look into the future, the small things are really the big things.


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz


Record created on 12-27-1995


Registrant:
New Century Investments
C/O Cozier and Associates
Primrose Building Ramsbury Rd
Charlestown, BWI ---
KN
561-206-2201
Fax:561-910-0018
Domain Name: LIPSERVICE.COM
Administrative Contact:
Schwartz, Rick domainking@gmail.com
C/O Cozier and Associates
Primrose Building Ramsbury Rd
Charlestown, BWI ---
KN
561-206-2201
Fax:561-910-0018
Technical Contact:
Schwartz, Rick domainking@gmail.com
C/O Cozier and Associates
Primrose Building Ramsbury Rd
Charlestown, BWI ---
KN
561-206-2201
Fax:561-910-0018
Record last updated 10-13-2010 02:49:54 PM
Record expires on 11-30-2020
Record created on 12-27-1995


A Banned Commercial and a Good Laugh

Morning Folks!!


My friend has been watching the following video over and over and keeps laughing so hard he can't stop. The commercial was banned for good reason. But it is still funny even if not politically correct.


Enjoy!


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz








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BREAKING: Christmas Day Traffic at Record Levels

Good Morning Folks!


In 1996, which was my first online Christmas, traffic from a normal day was down 90%. In 1997 it was down 85%. But a sizeable increase. Eventually it got to where Christmas Day and Christmas Eve would combine to average about 50% off. So you would basically lose one full day of traffic.


Last year was much better. Traffic last Christmas was down somewhere in the 15%-20% range. Here we are in 2010 and while the numbers may be a little soft, they are hardly noticeable. Which sets up the future where Christmas Day could actually be a new positive. This year Christmas Eve was just off 5%. The lowest margin ever off normal traffic. At one time travel meant you could not be online. Today, travel may mean just the opposite.


Christmas day itself was off about 8% from normal. Quite a difference over the years and we may be just 1or 2 years away from actually seeing an increase in traffic on Christmas.


Rick Schwartz


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What Did the Internet Look Like on Christmas Day 1995?

Morning Folks!!


What really amazes me.........


When I look back at those 15 years I think the one that really impresses me the most is that I saw something before there was something.


There were no Domain Forums. Matter of fact, there were very few forums. Nothing like the forums of today.


There was no Google.


There was no PPC


There were no ebooks


There were no blogs


There were no Domain Trade Shows


There were no domainers


There was nobody else to talk with or compare notes.


There were no commercials


There were barely any websites of importance at all.


It was a desert!


It was barren


It was lonely


Less than 10% of businesses had an Internet connection


Less than 5% of homes had an Internet connection


It was a huge risk on something that was new, had little traction and basically went to a bunch of dead ends.


The domains were $100 each and there was but one registrar who was completely incompetent.


Network Solutions was probably the worst run company any human being had ever seen. I can’t tell you how many different domains I had to register 3x to actually get the domain. The 9 month lag in sending the invoice to get paid was my “seed money” to get into business. So while this was the worst run company I have ever seen, it also took them 9 MONTHS to send out the invoices to actually get paid. That financed my entire endeavor.


I never saw a company FORGET to put in a cash register for the product they were selling. Network Solutions was the first in History I think. I believe.


Now I don’t want to turn this into a “Knock Network Solutions Post” because they have improved so much over the years. But try to get your head around the following example.


NSI had a monopoly on every domain registration. They had 100% market share. Very few companies ever had such a deal like they did. 100% of the marketplace and selling a product for $100 with no real cost basis other than the service aspect. From there they got their lunch eaten over the next 10 years. Godaddy comes to town with a funny name and then knocks NSI off the throne before NSI could throw a single punch back.


So who is responsible for this calamity? I don’t care either way, but what a stunning story.


Whoever is reading this all I can say is that even if this is your first day in the world of domains, there has never been a better opportunity that was available to more people than this. Never in the history of mankind. 99% may choose not to believe that. That is unfortunate for them. And while I would have expected that 15 years ago and got more laughs than you folks will ever know, today we have 15 years of history and sales and accomplishments. Facts speak louder than every post all of us have ever made and I have waited 15 years to say that. The real game starts NOW. So nobody is too late. Take what you know and recalibrate.


The first thing to do when you recalibrate is to stop what you are doing, see where you are, List what you have accomplished, List your disappointments, consider the different directions and then modify whatever it is you are doing just enough to have a big impact.


Have a GREAT Day!
A Merry Christmas.

Rick Schwartz


Yo! Horny, Bitch, Slut, Ass, Whore! Don’t Blame Me. Blame NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and Hollywood

Morning Folks!!


How is your Bitch today? We’re going to talk about Ass, Whores and Sluts as well.


See, I never made the rules not did I make the regulations. But these are all adult terms that you will hear nearly every night and now day of the week on broadcast TV and led by NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox and approved by the FCC who sets the guide lines to begin with. (Or lack of a guide line depending on your view)


Now this is nothing new. They blew down the standards before I ever registered one of the dot com versions of each of those words. But you could not always say these terms on TV. Once you could, it gave me a license to own and promote those domain names. Look at the company I am in!! So if these words offend you, don't blame me. I did not set the standard. I just followed the guidelines set by the government. Either way, they are just words.


Interesting that Proctor and Gamble or any other company would have no problem advertising during the shows that routinely use these terms at any and every opportunity they get but does not carry over to the Internet. Double standard?


You could easily argue that the TV shows using those terms introduce it to youth faster than I could ever do that. They reach tens of millions every day of the week. Chances are many learned those terms from TV for the first time. So for that, I am very thankful to NBC, ABC, CBS. And FOX. If there is any shame in all this they would have to take the lions share.


Maybe media will get past it and actually take advantage of that audience. My audience, their audience, an audience that is growing up. Just at another venue they hang at. Are they sure passing judgment on the very folks they taught this stuff to is a good thing?


Today I did something I never did before. I used these words in a headline for 'Shock Value'. The same reason I believe media uses it. Hits a nerve.


They, along with the rest of the entertainment industry created this new “Gangsta” generation of Bitches, Sluts and Whores and worse…..the question is are they and their advertisers going to now abandon them in their adult life and online as they grow up or adjust to them and break down the barriers?


Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

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