11/11/2004 06:39:16 PM|||Brian Fending|||

It's no secret that I really, really like my registrar, GoDaddy.com. I know, I know: The Name. But they're really great. They get it: you just want somewhere to register and *easily maintain* your domains. They know that the latter bring you back to register more domains, like metholic.org :), and they cross-sell the hell out of every service they've concocted. Their success rate on the sell? Probably worse than an Air Force recruiter. But one can't hold it against them - it's a capitalist enterprise and they have to make money *somewhere*.

So I get an email today from my beloved registrar. Apparently, the governing body of all registrars, ICANN, has changed their policy FOR THE WORSE. But they have a work-around. Now, I know - sometimes a vendor paints a value-added service as such because, well, they want an opportunity to sell you something else or get you roped in and then charge for what was free when you started.

Having worked for the giant registrar Verisign (Network Solutions) for six months, I can tell you that, no matter what, if you get this email (below) DO IT! There's nothing worse or more ugly than a domain name dispute between registrars. I helped smooth one over in my Verisign days and it was truly awful. And don't be mistaken: these registrars - particularly Verisign and ANYBODY else - have animosity on par with Jihad. But I digress.

The ICANN decision/change is real and outcry probably won't change it, let's be realistic. Adapt, overcome and, by all means, switch to godaddy.com.com if you haven't already. Here's the email...

******************************************
Important Notice Regarding your Domain(s)
******************************************

Dear Valued Go Daddy Customer,

Effective November 12, 2004, ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, will put in place its new transfer policy for all accredited domain name service providers.

The previous ICANN policy allowed us to deny requests to transfer your domain names to another registrar unless you explicitly confirmed to us your intent to transfer. The new ICANN policy removes that protection. When we receive a request to transfer your domain name to a new registrar, we will still attempt to contact you to confirm that you authorized the request. However, if you do not respond, or are not able to respond within 5 days, your domain name WILL be transferred.

Rest assured, your domains have NOT been transferred, and IT IS UNLIKELY that this will happen.

Nonetheless, with this change in mind, we are recommending that all Go Daddy domain customers visit GoDaddy.com and "lock" their domain name(s). Locking your domain(s) is free and prevents unauthorized changes to contacts and name servers. Most importantly, it prevents the domain name from being transferred to another registrar without your knowledge. You may lock or unlock your domain at any time by revisiting your account. It takes only a minute, and it WILL protect your domains. To lock your domain names, simply:

[snip]

Again, this email is simply a notification of a change in ICANN policy. Your domains have NOT been transferred, and IT IS UNLIKELY that they will be. Locking your domains will assure that they won't.

To review the new ICANN transfer policy, please visit: http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
GoDaddy.com Domain Support

|||110021694009772971|||ICANN Policy Change: What Now?