Settlement Reached in Eth.link Domain Dispute: ENS Reaches Agreement with Manifold

Ethereum Name Service (ENS) to Retain eth.link Domain in Agreement with Manifold Finance

ENS has agreed to settle the eth.link domain dispute after receiving approval from the DAO for a $300K settlement.

🌐 The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) developer has finally resolved its long-standing dispute with Manifold Finance over the ownership of the eth.link domain. The ENS decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) recently approved a $300,000 settlement with Manifold, putting an end to an 18-month saga.

DAO Approval and Settlement Details

The ENS DAO held a vote on February 26, with an overwhelming 88% in favor of the settlement. As part of the agreement, ENS Labs will drop its lawsuit against Manifold and pay $300,000, allowing them to retain ownership of the eth.link domain. Additionally, 84% of the ENS DAO approved the reimbursement of ENS Labs’ legal costs, amounting to $750,000.

This approval marks the conclusion of a legal battle that began when ENS Labs sued Manifold, GoDaddy, and Dynadot in an Arizona District Court. ENS Labs secured an order that prevented the transfer of the domain from its ownership.

Insight into the Settlement

Nick Johnson, the founder of ENS, explained in a forum post that Manifold’s settlement terms included demanding $300,000 from ENS Labs, accompanied by confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses. However, in return, Manifold offered an all-parties settlement, resulting in the dismissal of the case and ENS Labs retaining ownership of the eth.link domain.

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Ethereum Name Service and Its Importance

ENS serves as a decentralized equivalent to the traditional Domain Name System (DNS). While DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, ENS provides a similar service for Ethereum-based domains. However, the systems are not directly compatible, which is why ENS relies on the eth.link domain to make “.eth” ENS-based domains work seamlessly.

The Story Behind eth.link

The eth.link domain was initially owned by Virgil Griffith, an early contributor to ENS. However, as Griffith was serving a five-year jail sentence for attempting to help North Korea evade sanctions, he was unable to renew the domain. GoDaddy, where eth.link was registered, allowed the domain to expire, and it was subsequently bought by Manifold at auction on Dynadot in September 2022.

Legal Battle and Resolution

ENS filed a lawsuit against Manifold, GoDaddy, and Dynadot after the domain’s transfer. In July 2023, Arizona District Judge John Tuchi ordered Dynadot to unlock eth.link, enabling ENS to regain ownership. Notably, ENS and GoDaddy have since mended their relationship and recently partnered to offer free linking services between .eth ENS domains and traditional domains.

Q&A: What Do Readers Want to Know?

Q: What is the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and how does it work? A: ENS is a decentralized equivalent to the Domain Name System that translates Ethereum-based domain names into usable addresses.

Q: Why was there a legal dispute over the eth.link domain? A: The dispute arose when ENS Labs sued Manifold, GoDaddy, and Dynadot, wanting to retain ownership of the eth.link domain.

Q: What does the settlement entail for both parties? A: The settlement allows ENS Labs to keep ownership of the eth.link domain while paying $300,000 to Manifold. ENS Labs will also be reimbursed $750,000 for their legal costs.

Q: Why is the eth.link domain crucial for ENS-based domains? A: The eth.link domain bridges the compatibility gap between the ENS system and traditional DNS, allowing seamless navigation for “.eth” ENS-based domains.

Future Outlook and Partnership with GoDaddy

With the settlement of the eth.link dispute, ENS can now focus on enhancing its services and expanding its reach. The recent partnership between ENS and GoDaddy to offer free linking services offers exciting possibilities for domain owners. This collaboration demonstrates the growing interest and adoption of blockchain-based technologies within the domain name ecosystem.

In conclusion, the resolution of the eth.link domain dispute is a significant achievement for the Ethereum Name Service. The settlement not only preserves ENS Labs’ ownership but also provides valuable insights into the legal complexities surrounding blockchain-based domains. With the ongoing development and collaboration in the space, the future of decentralized domain services looks promising.

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Reference:

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2. “Voyager Digital Investors Sue NBA for Promoting Failed Crypto Lender” – Blocking.net – Link
3. “Catalyx Exchange Halts Operations Post Security Breach Probing Potential Insider Involvement” – Blocking.net – Link
4. “Clearpool Introduces Credit Vaults to Provide Blockchain Loan Efficiency to Lenders and Empower Borrowers” – Blocking.net – Link
5. “Bitcoin Magazine Announces Partnership with Unchained to Educate the Next Wave of Bitcoiners to Protect and Grow Their Wealth” – Blocking.net – Link

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