BEWARE: Lawmakers Push Penalties for False Web Records

[directfiesta]

Lawmakers Push Penalties for False Web Records
Wed February 4, 2004 02:26 PM ET

By Andy Sullivan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers touted a bipartisan bill on Wednesday that would increase jail time and fines for identity thieves, cybersquatters and other online fraudsters who register Web sites under false identities.

Reps. Lamar Smith and Howard Berman, who introduced the bill on Tuesday, said it would improve the accuracy of Web-site registration records that investigators use to track down those suspected of breaking the law.

"The government must play a greater role in punishing those who conceal their identities online, particularly when they do so in furtherance of a serious federal criminal offense or in violation of a federally protected intellectual-property right," said Smith, a Texas Republican.

Berman, a California Democrat, said domain-name sellers should also be held liable.

As many as 10 percent of the Internet's 30 million domain names may be registered under false identities, according to a study released last year.

Investigators checking Web-site registration records frequently find that suspects have filled out the registration records with clearly fraudulent information -- providing "555-555-5555" as a phone number or "Small Wok Way, Chopstick Town, WI" as a street address, witnesses told the House Internet and intellectual-property subcommittee.

The bill would not directly outlaw the use of fraudulent registration information. Instead, it would increase civil and criminal penalties for those who used false identities to set up Web sites used in other illegal activity.

Fines in copyright and trademark-violation cases could be tripled, while those convicted of felonies could have an additional seven years tacked onto their sentences.

Berman originally advocated a more direct approach that would make false registrations a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. But he changed his tack after privacy advocates said that his initial plan could hurt those who had legitimate reasons to protect their anonymity.

Berman said the new bill should be expanded to require domain-name sellers, or registrars, to ensure that their records are accurate.

"I think we haven't gone far enough. The only complete solution would hold the registrars accountable," he said.

That would bypass efforts already underway by the international body that oversees the domain-name system, said a lawyer involved in the process.

Kathryn Kleiman, who serves on a task force for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, said the bill could also discourage people from posting controversial views online if they had no way protect their identity.

"This is absolutely a chilling of speech," Kleiman said.

[lock]

good sick of dealing with billgates@hotmail

[hjnet]

Why beware, I think that's a good step!

[Paul Markham]

The days of the cowboy are numbered, well at least it will get harder.

But I reported a false registration to Network Solutions, you know what happened? Right nothing and the guy is taking money on IBill.

[directfiesta]

Originally posted by hjnet
Why beware, I think that's a good step!

Sure it is a good thing. But I know honest webmaster that post " false or semi-false" info not to be spammed ....
So basically, the " beware " means to revise your info and make sure it is accurate.

[Trax]

they cannot control 100s of millions of domains
that wont effect the small guys

only those who cheated, spammed or whatever

[polish_aristocrat]

how about whois privacy, like Go Daddy offers

[kmanrox]

ahaha 10 percent.. more like 80 percent...

[Furious_Male]

I think the key here is..

The bill would not directly outlaw the use of fraudulent registration information. Instead, it would increase civil and criminal penalties for those who used false identities to set up Web sites used in other illegal activity.

If your not breaking the law you shouldnt have to worry.

Of course making the registars liable will make things interesting.

[mardigras]

I think they just want to know who's behind all the anti-GW sites

[- Jesus Christ -]

Good, should be easier to nail cheaters/scammers

[badmouse]

Here's the article on yahoo... click

[KRL]

You'll just see people setting up offshore corps to a greater degree.

[Furious_Male]

Originally posted by - Jesus Christ -
Good, should be easier to nail cheaters/scammers

Sure it will make things harder for some of the small scammers and your run of the mill cheats but this wont do shit for the big scammers.

Not to hard for them to pay cash for a run down apartment to have a mailing address. Tie that to a pre-paid cell phone and your whois information is easily verifiable and within the TOS of the registar yet the individual is hard if not impossible to track if the law wanted to get them.

[rebel23]

Originally posted by Furious_Male


Sure it will make things harder for some of the small scammers and your run of the mill cheats but this wont do shit for the big scammers.

Not to hard for them to pay cash for a run down apartment to have a mailing address. Tie that to a pre-paid cell phone and your whois information is easily verifiable and within the TOS of the registar yet the individual is hard if not impossible to track if the law wanted to get them.

dont worry, the next step will hopefully be instant unplugging of any spamvertized domains that do not comply with can spam

[Furious_Male]

Originally posted by rebel23


dont worry, the next step will hopefully be instant unplugging of any spamvertized domains that do not comply with can spam

Yea I can see this now. Legit opt in companies following the rules getting shut down because of complaints that werent analyzed properly by the registar for adherence to the law.

Something like that would be like the current ISPs filtering problems. The filters are so tight for AOL there own memos arent going through.

Watching this all develop is like watching a circus. This is something we will be surely telling our grand kids about.

[SykkBoy]

Originally posted by rebel23


dont worry, the next step will hopefully be instant unplugging of any spamvertized domains that do not comply with can spam

yup, and right after that, all adult domains will be immediately unplugged....

god bless George W

[ldinternet]

The lawmakers can suck my fucking cock with their bi weekly moronic ideas. I never obeyed stupid laws, and am not going to start now.

[TheEnforcer]

If you want privacy just get a DBA business account (Joe Blow Domains) that only has to do with paying and maintaining your domains and have it in a nearby suburb or whatever and get a PO Box in that same town. Check the mail once every two weeks or so and toos stuff you don't need. Get an e-mail address that is for ONLY renewing and corresponding with tthings for domains and fileter/get rid of anything coming in that isn't from your domain registrar.

Now, this may effect tax situations, cost a little bit for the PO Box, etc but since you have a legitimate account and address info that you will use regularly you should be ok. No one will have your home address and you have a system set up to effectively deal with spam and renewals.

[Fletch XXX]

Originally posted by polish_aristocrat
how about whois privacy, like Go Daddy offers

anyone using go daddy is an idiot.

so many reports of them snagging domains and shady things.

do a search.

[GonePhishing]

Wow!

[directfiesta]

Originally posted by Fletch XXX


anyone using go daddy is an idiot.

so many reports of them snagging domains and shady things.

do a search.

Agreed. Don't put your main domains in their control.

You can use them for temporary domains used either to promote a special event or that is limited in time. But not for a pay site.



Spammers will go around this law, or will just eventually pay the fine and write it off as CODB.

[goBigtime]

"Small Wok Way, Chopstick Town, WI"

That made me laugh


I hope that doesn't make me racist.

[<IMX>]

basically. Lawmakers need to stop with the little pet projects that deny the globalization of commerce. They are wasting tax payer money trying to regulate a global net.

Originally posted by KRL
You'll just see people setting up offshore corps to a greater degree.