Unstoppable Domains is currently facing criticism for allegedly hijacking the open source advancements of the ethereum Name Service (ENS) by filing a patent called “Blockchain Domain Name Resolution” in January of this year.
In an open letter, Nick Johnson, lead developer at ENS, raised significant concerns about Unstoppable Domains’ patent applications related to blockchain domain names, while highlighting ENS’s advocacy for open source, open standards, and governance.
Open letter sparks debate on patents
At the center of the debate is Unstoppable Domains’ first patent, US11558344, granted in January and which, according to Johnson, is based entirely on innovations developed by ENS. The letter states that the patent lacks original innovations and questions the irony of supporting open innovation while seeking patents that reflect ENS’s work.
The open letter too highlighted Unstoppable Domains’ continued pursuit of additional patents, including one to reserve names similar to a “dawn phase,” a well-established concept in the DNS world. Frustrated by failed attempts to communicate with Unstoppable Domains, the ENS developer highlighted the importance of permissionless innovation and open standards in the Web3 ecosystem.
Regarding Unstoppable Domains’ commitment to its patents with the Web3 Domain Alliance, an industry group led by Unstoppable Domains, ENS expressed skepticism, noting that the press releases lack legal binding. The letter urged UD to reinforce its commitment through an unconditional and irrevocable patent promise, aligning with the stated defensive purpose for acquiring patents.
The ENS lead developer underlined the crucial nature of such a commitment to maintaining an open and innovative Web3 naming field. Additionally, ENS argued that a legally binding commitment would mitigate any potential chilling effects resulting from Unstoppable Domains’ ownership of patents purportedly derived entirely from ENS inventions.
Answer
Unstoppable Domains CEO Matthew Gould responded to the letter, noting that the focus on the Web3 domain platform could shift toward patents or trademarks from companies in other regions.
Invited ENS to join the Web3 Domain Alliance as a founding member, fostering a proactive discussion forum.
Unstoppable Domains and ENS are the two leading Web3 domain providers in the industry.
In July, Unstoppable Domains announced expanded support for .eth domains, allowing users to make purchases directly through the official website.
Traditionally known for offering domain extensions such as .crypto, .blockchain, .nft, etc., Unstoppable Domains expanded its services to include .eth domains, a space previously exclusive for purchases through the ethereum Name Service (ENS).
Binance Free $100 (Exclusive): Use this link to sign up and receive $100 free and 10% off fees on Binance Futures for the first month (terms).
<!– ai CONTENT END 1 –>
