It has been alleged that there may be a leak in the Domain Registration system which allows domain tasters to intercept the WHOIS queries of those looking for new domains to register.

Domain tasting is a practice whereby an individual or company registers hundreds or even thousands of domains at a time, and then cancels their registration before the five day grace period expires. They keep only the Domain Names which receive an amount of traffic that justifies their purchase.

If domain tasters were able to intercept WHOIS queries on domain registration websites, it could allow them to register domain names in which someone had apparently already expressed an interest. This could be very profitable for tasters, but extremely frustrating for those looking for domains to register.

ICANN is looking into the suspected "front-running" leak, and has found no hard evidence as yet. However, it has released an advisory document which offers some tips to help those looking to register new domains to avoid becoming victims.

Microsoft has sued a domain registrar, alleging that the registrar has been illegally profiting from Microsoft trademarks.

Microsoft claims that the domain registrar, Red Register, registered over 120 domain names which were "confusingly similar" to Microsoft trademarks, including "windowslivecare.com and "msnmsnger.com". Microsoft argues that this was done in bad faith, and that Red Register’s intention was to profit from each domain name through their similarity with Microsoft marks, in a practice known as typo- or cybersquatting.

Apparently the domains were being used in advertising which might mislead customers into clicking because of the positive associations of the domain names. Microsoft claims that people might feel more inclined to click because they think that Microsoft has endorsed or authorised those advertisements.

Many registrars are involved in such practices as domain tasting, and there have already been several cases of registrars being accused of typo- or cybersquatting. One registrar, Belgium Domains, has faced lawsuits from both Yahoo! and Dell. Microsoft has also frequently fallen victim to cybersquatters.