CNN iReport

Are you considering registering internet domains? Are you seeking a registrar? You may wish to think twice about Go Daddy. A Quebec-based law firm has sent them representation about apparent systematized abuses. Other law firms, including some even in India, have also reportedly indicated an interest in pursuing similar legal representation against Go Daddy. It appears that Go Daddy is hiding behind an expensive and lengthy "arbitration process" in order to perpetuate apparent abuses.

Large corporations with plenty of cash to spend on "arbitration" will not be effected. However, "buyer beware" if you are an individual or small to medium-sized company, that does not have a lot of cash reserves for "arbitration".

Here's what Go Daddy appears to be doing. A graphic designer offers you to create a website. You think about it, and then say: "Yes, that is a great idea." You then pay that graphic designer to register an internet domain as an agent on your behalf. However, Go Daddy and that graphic designer collude/collaborate to register that domain name under that graphic designer's company name. "What.... another internet scam?"

You now have no control over your own domain name, that can now be sold to the highest bidder when its market value 'matures'.. after a year or two. You try to appeal to Go Daddy to correct this mis-registration, but Go Daddy then refuses, and claims that you need to go through an "arbitration process" that could cost you many thousands of dollars.

Is this a scam? Is Go Daddy colluding with graphic designers to speculate on your intellectual property? You decide.

Indeed, when presented with documentation that substantiates the ownership of the domain names, Go Daddy refused to correct the obvious mis-registration. Matters pertinent could end up in Quebec's civil court.

Go Daddy's action does not appear to be consistent with an ethical organization concerning an ongoing refusal to redress such complaints.

Meanwhile, if you have any similar complaints or experiences with Go Daddy, please let us editorially know.