What's happening
This bill prohibits individuals or entities from registering domain names using non-public information about third parties' interests in those domains.
Why it matters
Protects against insider abuse in domain registration. By prohibiting the use of non-public information (such as search data or internal records) to register domain names before the interested party can do so, the bill aims to prevent unfair advantages and profiteering at the expense of consumers or businesses.
Safeguards business and personal interests. The bill helps individuals and businesses avoid being forced to buy back domain names at inflated prices from those who registered them using insider knowledge, reducing the risk of domain squatting and related extortion tactics.
Creates legal accountability for registrants. Only the person or entity who actually registers the domain—or their authorized licensee—can be held liable, focusing enforcement on those who directly benefit from domain front running, rather than intermediaries or third parties.
Addresses gaps in current consumer protection. By specifically defining "non-public information" and targeting domain front running, the bill closes a loophole in existing law and clarifies what constitutes unfair practices in the domain name market.
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Who cares
Businesses and individuals seeking domain names
The bill would prohibit others from acquiring a domain based on non-public knowledge of their interest in it.
Domain name registrants and authorized licensees
The bill would limit liability for prohibited domain front running to registrants and their authorized licensees.
Domain registration companies
The prohibition would apply if they acquire domains themselves based on non-public information about a third party’s interest.
Domain investors
The bill’s definition of non-public information would include information available to members of the public upon payment of a fee.
Headline styles
Stop Domain Name Front Running
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
374
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. VANEL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting domain front running
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 147 of the general business law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. "Non-public information" shall mean information that is not readily accessible by the public or information that is made available to members of the public upon payment of a fee.
§ 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 148-a to read as follows:
§ 148-a. Domain front running prohibited. 1. No person or entity shall register, reserve, or otherwise acquire a domain name based on knowledge acquired through non-public information of a third party's interest in that domain name.
2. A person or entity shall be only liable for a violation of subdivision one of this section if such person or entity is the domain name registrant or such registrant's authorized licensee.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01925-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.