A domain name registered under the name "David Beckham" briefly became the world's second-worst manga pirate, according to a report from The Register. The incident highlights how easily registrants can use false identities when setting up domains for copyright-infringing operations.
Publishers have responded by calling for more rigorous checks on who actually registers domains. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is now working on a new policy aimed at improving verification of domain name registrants, though details of the policy have not yet been fully outlined.
The case underscores a broader infrastructure problem: the domain name system, which underpins the web, still relies on self-reported registration data. Until verification becomes standard, bad actors can hide behind fake names, making enforcement against piracy and other abuses more difficult.