The Ethereum Name Service (ENS), a blockchain domain provider, is concluding its legal tussle with Manifold Finance by agreeing to a $300,000 settlement for the eth.link domain. The ENS’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) voted overwhelmingly in favor of the agreement, which also includes provisions for confidentiality and non-disparagement. Additionally, the ENS DAO sanctioned $750,000 to cover ENS Labs’ legal costs accumulated over the 18-month legal battle.
DAO Approves Settlement and Legal Reimbursements
The ENS, which offers blockchain-based domain services, has been embroiled in a dispute after the eth.link domain expired and was subsequently auctioned off. ENS Labs initiated legal action to maintain control over the domain, which is crucial for the operation of .eth domain names on the blockchain, as it serves as a bridge to the traditional DNS internet structure.
Background of the Eth.link Domain Controversy
The domain issue arose when Virgil Griffith, a key ENS participant, did not renew the domain which later fell into the hands of Manifold Finance through an auction. ENS took legal steps against Manifold and the registrars involved, GoDaddy and Dynadot, leading to a court order that prevented the transfer of the domain. After prolonged litigation, the domain was unlocked in July 2023, allowing ENS to reclaim it. ENS has since worked with GoDaddy to provide .eth domain owners the option to link their blockchain domains with traditional web domains at no cost.
This development marks a significant resolution for ENS, ensuring the continuity of the eth.link service for their blockchain domain system, which enables users to convert .eth addresses into IP addresses recognizable by conventional browsers.
The settlement heralds a positive outcome for ENS and its users, who rely on the eth.link domain to navigate the web with blockchain-based domain names seamlessly.