Domain Name Transfer Changes

[Frank Hagan]

Check out the new policy that is being implemented (I was alerted by DirectI, I'm a reseller for them). Its at http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm

Now, the losing registrar cannot block a transfer. The losing registrar has to send a specific form to the Administrative contact of record, and if there is no response, the transfer is allowed to go through. No response is taken as approval.

The winning registrar is responsible for ensuring the transfer is authorized. A specific and standardized form is sent to the Administrative contract of record, and a positive response is required to initiate the transfer.

I think this should stop the anti-competitive practice of registrars such as ItsYourDomain.com and DomainsNext.com (one of their resellers) requiring a notarized letter and fee to transfer a domain name from them.

[Dan]

I received notice from Godaddy on this too but it stated that if I had the domains locked that they could not be slammed...

[Andy]

I hope so Frank. I got and am a reseller for Directi and have numerous domains stuck at mydiscountdomains.com (itsyourdomain.com) that I can not transfer away. When its time to renew, I will try a transfer and see what happens.

[Frank Hagan]

One thing you can do is renew them at ItsYourDomain.com ... the registration will then change to them from mydiscountdomains.com. Just go to their site and renew there ... at least mydiscountdomains.com will no longer get your money.

ItsYourDomain.com is not much better, but they did lower my renewal prices to $7.95 after I complained about their transfer costs (I have 10 domains still registered there). I think with the new rules, ItsYourDomain.com will have to abide by ICANN, and I'll be able to complain directly to ICANN (where you can't complain about a reseller to ICANN).

[ChrisTech]

Check out the new policy that is being implemented (I was alerted by DirectI, I'm a reseller for them). Its at http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm

Now, the losing registrar cannot block a transfer. The losing registrar has to send a specific form to the Administrative contact of record, and if there is no response, the transfer is allowed to go through. No response is taken as approval.

The winning registrar is responsible for ensuring the transfer is authorized. A specific and standardized form is sent to the Administrative contract of record, and a positive response is required to initiate the transfer.

I think this should stop the anti-competitive practice of registrars such as ItsYourDomain.com and DomainsNext.com (one of their resellers) requiring a notarized letter and fee to transfer a domain name from them.

I saw that on godaddy's site the other day, and I went in and locked all my domains right away. With this new feature, all you have to do is to send in a transfer request, and if they don't reply, the domain name is now yours. I see all kinds of bad stuff coming from this.


Example - If I know that someone is going on a vacation, and I want their domain name. I could submit a transfer request when they are not arround (granted their domain isnt locked) and depending on the actual time limit, I could actually "steal" someone's domain. --- Correct?

[Frank Hagan]

I saw that on godaddy's site the other day, and I went in and locked all my domains right away. With this new feature, all you have to do is to send in a transfer request, and if they don't reply, the domain name is now yours. I see all kinds of bad stuff coming from this.


Example - If I know that someone is going on a vacation, and I want their domain name. I could submit a transfer request when they are not arround (granted their domain isnt locked) and depending on the actual time limit, I could actually "steal" someone's domain. --- Correct?

No, not unless you are a registrar (not a reseller, a registrar). The winning registrar has to have "sufficient proof" that the Administrator or Registrant wants the name to be transferred to them. A standardized email form has to be sent by the winning registrar, and he must get a positive response back or the transfer is void.

The losing registrar can no longer block the transfer. The burden of proving the name should be transferred is on the winning registrar instead.

There's also a 60 day freeze on changing it again. I assume that's to keep someone from changing registrars, then changing the Admin or Registrant's name on the domain name.