DomainTools Blog

You may recognize the name. Michael Collins ran Afternic with his brother for a few years (his brother still works there). Well, Michael moved on to run a new business that he had purchased called Speed and Truck World (Speed-Truck.com) but the call of the Domain Industry was too strong to keep him away. He was asked if he would be interested in joining the ICA by Ron Jackson as their new Executive Director. He was not that sure about the job until after talking with some of the Board Members like Bob Martin and Frank Schilling.

Now that he has the job he said, “I am not able to sell anything I don’t believe in. I feel like I would be making a difference.” For those of you that know Michael, he has a big heart and has always treated his partners with a lot of respect. I personally think Michael is an excellent choice for the ICA position.

The ICA Board is still split on whether Domains should be considered property or contract rights but Michael plans to focus on improving and the rights of domain holders either way. He expressed that needs to happen both on Capital Hill and in the Halls of ICANN. Trademark attorneys represent their clients rather well at ICANN, but no one really represents domain owners.

Michael said, “If you are using a commercial parking service, it is very hard to avoid infringing on someones right if that person is trying hard enough they can target ads to show up on your domain.” That is very true, I have seen a lot of generic domains become victims of screenshots. Google services ads are based on the region so it is hard to tell what is being shown to European’s when you are viewing your own website in North America. The average domain owner has little chance to defend all the angles a good Trademark attorney will use to take the domain.

Recently the Los Anglos Angels tried to Reverse Hijack the domain Angels.com. The EFF and other organizations defend Free Speech cases for free. I told Michael it would be great if the ICA sued large companies that try to Reverse Hijack domains from small registrants. This would send a message to big companies that they couldn’t prey on small companies.

Michael plans to get his son involved in the Speed Truck business when he gets out of the Military in Two years. This would give Michael even more time to work for the ICA.

UPDATE: Offical Post at ICA