New Domain Search Tool Claims To Ensure Upstream Privacy For Domain Availability Search

The Over-the-Rhine-based advertising firm metaphor went to buy an
Internet domain name last winter after a preliminary search found it to
be available, but before they could buy it, the name was snatched away
by an outfit based in the Bahamas with links to China.

• Check out LiberateDomains.com

Metaphor has created a new software application which it claims is a safer way to quietly check on the availability of domain names - of growing importance for both commercial and personal use as the Internet expands.

Battling domain idea theft | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati.Com

Davis says metaphor's new program - which is being launched on the 25th anniversary of the program that changed the Internet from a number-based to a word-based system - is open-sourced and verifiable, making searches for possible names more secure.

"We're not going to hide how it operates, and we're taking every reasonable effort we can to prevent ourselves or others from snooping on the process," Davis said.

Originally intended as purely an in-house tool, the first version was "originally just hacked together" by Davis and his team. But metaphor chief executive Ran Mullins immediately saw the potential of a commercial launch.

You can also download editspot's white paper on cybersquatting and front running here.