Founder's resignation could spell domain name chaos

The founder and one of 13 directors of the official registry for dot-info domain names Afilias has resigned blaming the body's incompetent handling of early registrations (sunrise registrations).

Robert Connelly's resignation has come less than a week before the formal registration (landrush period) is opened to the general public.

The sunrise registrations period ran from 25 July to 27 August was designed to protect company trademarks, provide time to resolve any rows over trademarks, and prevent cyber squatting.

The dot-info name is the first unrestricted top-level domain to be introduced since dot-com, however Connelly said in his resignation letter: "I have not hidden my disappointment with the way the sunrise period turned out. It was an abomination."

The lack of corroboration checks by the technical working group at Afilias has led to numerous brands being picked up by the cyber squatters, according to Connelly.

"Many registrants have made landrush applications in good faith only to see their selected domains cut out from under them because of mostly fraudulent applications made by registrants who did not have trademarks," he said.

Connelly alleges that Afilias is in no position to process fairly, even though the landrush period begins next week Wednesday.

Connelly said applicants who do not want their applications sent during the landrush are pestering him: "I am in agreement that they should not be submitted to Afilias until a credible system is developed for disposing of the sunrise registrations," said Connelly.

He will remain a director until a replacement is found, but recommends that Afilias dispose of its major shareholder.