e-Profile Login and ID Quick Search
Domain Name Registrar Agrees to Crack Down on Web Sites Selling Prescription Medications Unlawfully
Originally published in the December 2010 NABP Newsletter
Potentially thousands of rogue Internet drug outlets will have to board up their virtual storefronts, thanks to a new partnership agreement enforcing a major domain name registrar’s ban on illegal use of the Web sites it hosts. On September 21, 2010, the domain name registrar eNom Inc, and the Internet pharmacy verification and monitoring service LegitScript LLC announced that LegitScript will assist eNom in identifying customers (ie, Web site operators whose domain names, or URLs, are registered with eNom) who are violating eNom’s terms of service by operating online pharmacies in violation of United States federal or state law, particularly focusing on those selling prescription drugs without requiring a valid prescription.
Under the agreement, and in consultation with law enforcement authorities, LegitScript notifies eNom of domain names that knowingly facilitate the unlawful sale of prescription medications, the partners state in a September 21 news release. This information enables eNom to better enforce its policy of taking action against Web site holders engaged in illegal activity.
The announcement follows NABP’s recent petitioning of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and 20 US-based domain name registrars, including eNom, to enforce policies prohibiting the use of Web sites for unlawful purposes – namely, the illicit sale of prescription medications. NABP sent letters on August 31, urging these entities to take additional steps to protect users from rogue Internet drug outlets that endanger the public health.
ICANN is the global entity that coordinates the Internet’s naming system, which refers to the unique domain names (ie, URLs, or Web site addresses) that provide access to all registered Web sites on the Internet. ICANN is the accrediting body for hundreds of domain name registrars worldwide, ie, the merchants that sell and manage the domain names used by Web site operators.
The letters note that ICANN-accredited domain name registrars are required to adhere to the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy, which includes provisions prohibiting registrants from using domain names for unlawful activity. The letters also note that LegitScript standards are recognized by NABP for the purpose of identifying and classifying Internet pharmacy Web sites as operating legitimately or engaging in unlawful behavior.
