Cybersquatting via automatic mass harvesting of expired domain names presents the possibility of havoc, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a agency of the United Nations.

According to a Reuters report, WIPO stated that the havoc could turn the domain marketplace into a “free-for-all market” that would undermine WIPO dispute resolution procedures that protect multi-national organizations.

The problem of course is that they’re too late in highlighting the issue, expired domains are already dominated by a largish firms auto harvesting them, but what is wrong with a free market? Why should registrations be limited only to those who can afford trade marks and other legal protections? dot com names work so well because they are free, and one only has to look at the lack of .com.au domain names to see how restrictive trade practices stifle domain innovation. As much as I don’t like the fact that a few big companies are snapping up domain names, the market will always get it right in the end, and the last thing we need is more regulation.

Related posts:

1. Sedo doubles domain name sales revenues in 2007
2. Domain name registrations reach 150 million in 2007
3. TalentAgent.com up for auction
4. When the site owner is to blame
5. GoDaddy to the rescue

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