Verizon has been awarded $33.15m in a cybersquatting lawsuit against a shady domain aggregator that registered hundreds of websites using the telco's name and trademarks.
We've looked at OnlineNIC before and as the articles i'll link will show you OnlineNIC does give USA information but from the information we discovered they are a Chinese company. It will be interesting to see if Verizon is able to get this money and if they are what will happen with OnlineNIC.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/26/verizon_awarded_33mil_against_onlinenic/
In a default judgment this week, a federal court in Northern California ruled this week that OnlineNIC should pay $50,000 for each of the 633 domains Verizon claims were created specifically to be confused with legitimate Verizon brands.

Is onlinenic responsible for this or its users?

The information in the article seems to be pointing in the direction of OnlineNIC. This same practice is done with GoDaddy. When domains expire @ godaddy godaddy will transfer the domains out of your account, change the nameservers to their nameservers and use it to advertise from and 'taste'. They do this while keeping your contact information on the domain. I think OnlineNIC is/was doing something similar to this. The only other article I had was from verizion and it would probably be a little biased:)

Yeah I dont think OnlineNIC are going to loose any sleep over it somehow :P
Moreover if they bothered to actually send a lawyer they might have simply been able to blag their way out of it and hand over the domains, they will never know now :P
The worst I assume could be done, is Verizon get a court order and request the ICANN RAA be cancelled as ICANN like all registrars to be "Whiter than White" so to speak, and this is defo one of those big brown marks... :)

Hi,
I have domain names with onlinenic.
Should I transfer my domains out or wait?
Please advice.
Thanks.

Hi,
I have domain names with onlinenic.
Should I transfer my domains out or wait?
Please advice.
Thanks.
I wouldn't worry yet, just keep your eyes on it.
Chris

Hi,
I have domain names with onlinenic.
Should I transfer my domains out or wait?
Please advice.
Thanks.
Unlike Chris I wouldn't wait, this obviously shows trouble ahead and you should get out while you can.

I wouldn't worry yet, just keep your eyes on it.
Chris
Are you sure about that?
There already are discussions about this exact matter on other domain related forums.
This could be another "RegisterFly" story.
With RegisterFly, I took quick action and moved all my domains early.
Many people lost domains who did NOT act quickly.
Why take chance?

Yeah I hate to carry on in my own post but OnlineNIC.... They couldn't be served because nobody could find out where to serve the papers. I think it's a little too late for the company to lawyer up and say ok we're going to settle this. If you fail to show up or can't even be contacted to show up to defend yourself, it's over. I would have to imagine the next step would be that ICANN would be forced to take the matter into their own hands since an unresponsive registry could pose a problem. If I had domains at OnlineNIC, i'd be blazing out of there.
You can't just ignore the court system, somethings bound to happen. Besides do you really want to do business with a company that can't be contacted? We would of been an OnlineNIC reseller but everytime we faxed our information, called, emailed.... we never got any responses. This was a long time ago but with this recent Verizion thing, it doesn't appear as if things have changed.

OnlineNic belongs to a Chinese company - China Channel, which is based in China, i think China Channel just registered an offshore company name in the U.S. - OnlineNIC, Verizon probably won't be getting any money from them.

Hi,
I have domain names with onlinenic.
Should I transfer my domains out or wait?
Please advice.
Thanks.
move your domains to Godaddy :agree:

Well the reason I said dont worry about it and keep your eyes peeled, is because at the end of the day there will be plenty of notices when you see the ICANN response (should they get involed).
You will then have plenty of time before you are forced to a new registrar to look around.
Bu the choice is yours.
Hmmm, yeah jumping to Godaddy, straight into restrictive practices, no transfer within 60 days of whois change, slow interface with too much information on it.
You could always look at WWD, but you would pay a fee per year to become a reseller, kinda defeats the object.

Well to be honest with you, GoDaddy participates in the same type of business that OnlineNIC does. When your domain expires at godaddy, they keep it in your name for 15-30 days, point your domain to their nameservers and taste/advertise off of it. If they like it, it goes to auction, if they don't it expires.

No wonder they couldn't find where to serve the papers. The domain contact info says:
Admin Contactor::
Name-- OnlineNIC, Inc.
EMail-: ******@onlinenic.com)
org: OnlineNIC, Inc.
351 Embarcadero E.
Oakland,Oakland,US 94606
Google maps, however, shows that address as an empty lot down by the docks.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=351+Embarcadero+E.+94606&sll=26.230621,-80.16059&sspn=0.004095,0.003782&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17&g=351+Embarcadero+E.+94606&iwloc=addr
Needless to say, if you have domains with OnlineNIC, moving them as quickly as possible is probably in your best interest.

Google maps, however, shows that address as an empty lot down by the docks.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=351+Embarcadero+E.+94606&sll=26.230621,-80.16059&sspn=0.004095,0.003782&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17&g=351+Embarcadero+E.+94606&iwloc=addr
Birds-eye view: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=q8ykhz4tbd25&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7826144&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
It would be prudent to at least start moving domains as they renew.

Hey guys was reading dslreports and found this to be really interesting.
Verizon Awarded $33 Million In Cyber-Squatting Case
Wins $50,000 for some 663 different domains...
09:50AM Tuesday Dec 30 2008 by Karl Bode
tags: business · wireless · domains
Verizon has been awarded $33.2 million in a lawsuit against Internet services company OnlineNic, who registered hundreds of domain names with Verizon trademarks. According to Verizon, the cybersquatted upon some 663 different Verizon-related addresses, including myverizonwireless.com, iphoneverizonplans.com and verizon-cellular.com. Verizon ultimately wanted some $66.3 million in damages, but will have to settle with half of that -- an award of roughly $50,000 per domain. Of course OnlineNIC didn't appear in court, and goes to great lengths to conceal their real operations -- meaning Verizon will have trouble actually collecting.

Thanks guys.....
I'm moving my domains from onlinenic......

And i'm spending my balance in early renewals just in case things go worst

Yes. You are right.... :)
I also spend all my balance for early renewals.... Then move it to another registrar.......

I also have lots of domains with OnlineNIC.But i don't want to move them now. OnlineNIC is good for me. And i don't want to spend the one-year renewal fee for transferring to another registrar when the domains will not be expire soon. I am sorry i am a poor man in this terrible time. I also presume verizon will sue godaddy for next time. Just wait and see.

my domains with OnlineNIC do not expire now, so I do not want to transfer them at present,because I should pay one year renewal fee when I transfer them. SoI hope OnlineNIC can go through the trouble...

OnlineNIC is not in any trouble, if you check ICANN you can see OnlineNIC is listed under China, which means US court has no jurisdiction on them. OnlineNIC is not going to disappear or anything. No need to worry.

we have 7500 domains with Onlinenic, this mean that if we want move all we need to pay about 60.000$!!!!! what u think that we can do??

we have 7500 domains with Onlinenic, this mean that if we want move all we need to pay about 60.000$!!!!! what u think that we can do??
Wait, don't worry, onlinenic will not dissapear tonight and in the worst case your domains would be transfered to another registrar as happened in recent estdomains case without spending a cent.
I don't know how the legal system works in USA but in most countries when a court says something you have the option to appeal and we are just not considering that
Onlinenic may take his lawyers now to court and win the legal battle

Obviously some here haven't even read what happened. Verizon tried to serve them with papers but couldn't even find them, their registered address is an empty lot. You are doing business with a ghost company.
From what I see on other boards things are going into lockdown, customer service vanished and the forgot password link is broken. I'd move away important domains right away.
If you have a lot of domains suck it up and start transferring. I'd check out DynaDot and their bulk pricing: http://www.dynadot.com/company/prices_bulk.html

OnlineNIC is listed under China
http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html
OnlineNIC, Inc. United States
:eek:

From what I see on other boards things are going into lockdown, customer service vanished and the forgot password link is broken. I'd move away important domains right away.
I don't agree, i sent a ticket yesterday and got answer in 1 hour 6 minutes
I sent another one in 17th December and the answer came in 2h24min
Customer service didn't vanished for me
As for the forgot password, the link now works, they changed their old control panel to a new design with new scripts about a month ago, when they changed the software some links got broken but that got fixed quick, they also had the old an new system working so if someone had a problem with the new, the old could be used.
As for the 'ghost company', according to google, there are some other companies at the same building, google streetview shows a construction yard, but there is also a big building there, there could be an office in that building just to receive mailing, when a foreign company needs an address is a different country, you can go to a company offering his address for you for a fee, the main company is in the original country and probably all the assets are there.
I've notified onlinenic of this thread so they can choose to participate, but think they may choose not to make public announcements that could be used by Verizon against them.

The other business at that address is:
Golden State Diesel Marine
351 Embarcadero E, Oakland, CA 94606
There is a saying "you make your own luck." If you want to continue putting your trust into a company that publishes shady contact information and was just successfully sued for trademark infringement to the tune of $33 million, that is certainly your free choice to do so. Keep in mind that Yahoo and Microsoft have also filed similar suits and those have yet to make it through the courts.
You don't need a magic 8 ball to predict the future of OnlineNIC, and at this point you can't say nobody warned you.

http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html
OnlineNIC, Inc. United States
:eek:
weird, look at this one http://www.internic.net/origin.html :eek:
anyway I know they are a child company of China Channel/35.com, they are not based in the U.S.

They are not "ghost". May be information on site is old and not updated but surely Verizon can call to them and ask postall address directly from Onlinenic representative. Also, listed domain look as registered many years ago verizononline.com in 2000, myverizonwireless.com in 2000 etc. Renewing good domain name for further auction or just advertising is common practice used by all registrars. For trademark issue ICANn has a domain name dispute procedure and it clear enough. Bring message to registrar with evidence and get domain died or transfer to trademark owner. Why Verizon sleep 8 years and up only today? They lost money due to financial crisis and need get money for nothing? Hahaha...
BTW. At least above domains now transfered to Markmonitor Inc. which does mean that at least complain has been resolved by Onlinenic and not ignored.

i have wrote to Icann about 3 days ago abount the Onlinenic situation to see if the customer is protected about this problem, i dont think that is possible that Onlinenic dead everyone can lose domains and business!!

I think this is very likely to turn into a Registerfly. Theres a few here that have stated they have spoken with OnlineNIC but with them giving addresses that are vacant lots and also not even being able to be served raise a few flags. Unless OnlineNIC settles with Verizon or Verizon withdrawals it's complaint ICANN will probably have to act. The domains from OnlineNIC would probably take the same step Registerfly domains did. I doubt ICANN will speak publicly about any situation that's in litigation.

You can try to send a ticket to onlinenic about this and see how much time they take to answer, i did it and the answer it got wasn't satisfactory, they appreciate i'm worry about the company and not much more. some other words to keep me calm that i should search in a dictionary (english is not my home language)
maybe if more people sends them tickets asking about this they will start moving and making a public announcement.
Also, onlinenic moved all the domains from 35.com registrar to onlinenic.com registrar, in case things go wrong they can move them again to 35.com or other registrar in their group ;-)

Also, onlinenic moved all the domains from 35.com registrar to onlinenic.com registrar, in case things go wrong they can move them again to 35.com or other registrar in their group ;-)
Oh yeah that sounds a trustworthy registrar - not.
I assume you the customer was asked? or is it written into their terms and conditions that they can move you from registrar to registrar without registrant consent?

Oh yeah that sounds a trustworthy registrar - not.
I assume you the customer was asked? or is it written into their terms and conditions that they can move you from registrar to registrar without registrant consent?
I'm not worried about how they organize the domains between their registrars and i haven't checked their terms and conditions looking for something that allows them to do it, probably there is something allowing them to do it and that's something that will not make me loose my sleep

Oh yeah that sounds a trustworthy registrar - not.
I assume you the customer was asked? or is it written into their terms and conditions that they can move you from registrar to registrar without registrant consent?
They would not be moving you from one registrar to another, it would be a name change for onlinenic.com if anything.
Still using the same registrar (China Channel or whatever)

Anyone have any updates on this?

Truz, I haven't seen any updates, the courts work slow. However it appears yahoo also sued OnlineNIC at the same time. I was unaware of the Yahoo lawsuit. http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2009/01/onlinenic_loses.htm
I personally think the Yahoo lawsuit against them is better then the Verizon one. Take a look at the court filing:)

why anyone would chose to put something as critical as a domain through a company that publishes fake contact details is beyond me - oh wait a minute, they're cheap - that makes it all right then...

Cheers James, I didnt know Yahoo had taken a poke at them too :|
Rob, yes totally agree with you. It doesnt help matters if you cannot get hold of the registrar in the first place. Alexander Bell made a cracking invention, and its cheap to use too. :)

Cheers James, I didnt know Yahoo had taken a poke at them too :|
Rob, yes totally agree with you. It doesnt help matters if you cannot get hold of the registrar in the first place. Alexander Bell made a cracking invention, and its cheap to use too. :)
It was Antonio Meucci, not Alexander Graham Bell who invented the phone as recognized by US Congress on 11th June 2002.
I miss a public letter from onlinenic explaining the current problems they are having and how are them going to affect us or not

As there is no public announcement from Onlinenic i'll publish the answer they gave me on 31st December 2008 when i sent them a ticket
Dear xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for contacting OnlineNIC!
Thank you for your concern about us. We will actively liaise with the court, to understand the progress of the case, and firmly vindicate our company's legitimate rights and interests through
appropriate channels.
OnlineNIC is always operating properly, everything goes well with our company, thanks again for your concern!
Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Always @ your service!
Sincerely,
Cecilia
Customer Care For EU Division

move your domains to Godaddy :agree:
No. Don't do this. Move it to namecheap. :D
There, I said it.

No. Don't do this. Move it to namecheap. :D
There, I said it.
Agree with you.
Move to Namecheap..... Or Dynadot. :)
Almost all of my active domain names already out from Onlinenic, except 1 that still in progress. :)

It was Antonio Meucci, not Alexander Graham Bell who invented the phone as recognized by US Congress on 11th June 2002.
I miss a public letter from onlinenic explaining the current problems they are having and how are them going to affect us or not
Actually as I am in Europe, I dont recognise that (it may or may not have happened). Also try googling just "Who invented the phone", but this is OT, so I shall leave it there.
I see your email dated the end of december, looks like they didnt stay up to speed with the courts...

Move it to namecheap. :D
There, I said it.
Took a lot to say that. But...no one's dinging you for it. :)

Actually as I am in Europe, I dont recognise that (it may or may not have happened). Also try googling just "Who invented the phone", but this is OT, so I shall leave it there.
I see your email dated the end of december, looks like they didnt stay up to speed with the courts...
I'm in Europe also, i got the exact information at wikipedia
And yes, it seems onlinenic is not running to solve this, unfortunatelly i added funds just a week before this came to the news

I haven't really been following this but it does appear as if OnlineNIC is feeling these recent legal events.
http://www.registrarstats.com/Public/SingleRegistrarStats.aspx?registrarid=1222&defaultStartDate=12/30/2008&defaultEndDate=01/29/2009&source=marketsharemain is showing a dramatic decrease in OnlineNIC domain marketshare.

Looking at yearly data it doesn't seem so high
http://www.registrarstats.com/Public/SingleRegistrarStats.aspx?registrarid=1222&defaultStartDate=12%2f30%2f2008&defaultEndDate=01%2f29%2f2009&source=marketsharemain
In July they had another drop in registrations and the current number is the same as in September

According to the yearly stats it's still tanked. The times it spikes is probably when OnlineNIC formed another group to go register some more domains that someone else has rights to. From 1/31/08 to 1/30/09 it's the lowest amount of domains OnlineNIC has held in a year.

I am not able to add funds to my onlinenic account, either with paypal or credit card. PayPal gives "This recipient is currently unable to receive money."
Now i am worried!

hmmm that doesn't sound too good :(
I can't see it being a temporary thing if PayPal are rejecting the addition of funds, especially as they like their fees :P

we have 7500 domains with Onlinenic, this mean that if we want move all we need to pay about 60.000$!!!!! what u think that we can do??
I went through a similar process when registerfly lost their accreditation. Thankfully I was able to get all my domains out. This was only due to the help I had from www(dot)netearthone(dot)com or probably more interesting reseller(dot)netearthone(dot)com They really understood how important it is to move quickly with issues like this.
It is frightening going through this process as we make our living from this but its certainly better to move them out than loose the domains or have them pushed to an unfriendly registrar like what happened with ESTdomains and Resellerclub, reading some of the horror cases about pricing and RC just putting all estdomains resellers on the most expensive tier!
All the best
Chang

Hi,
I have domain names with onlinenic.
Should I transfer my domains out or wait?
Please advice.
Thanks.
I took a chance with Registerfly. I wont try that nay more.

Just to let you know PayPal is now accepting funds for OnlineNIC, so i funded my account and everything looks good.
I actually like onlinenic, been with them for 5 years with no problems at all. The template site/api was so easy to customize and their support is quite fast.

Just to let you know PayPal is now accepting funds for OnlineNIC, so i funded my account and everything looks good.
I actually like onlinenic, been with them for 5 years with no problems at all. The template site/api was so easy to customize and their support is quite fast.
Maybe you should ask them what they have to say about the lawsuit.

That's lawsuits with an s Toeki:) Verizon & Yahoo. The yahoo one is the most entertaining of the two. Since the lawsuits do sort of imply a level of fraud it would be interesting to not see this turn into an ESTdomains situation. I doubt yahoo and verizon are the only two that have been victimized by OnlineNIC and im sure they won't be the last. OnlineNIC might carry on for awhile ignoring the lawsuits but sooner or later something is bound to happen. ICANN has already made it clear that it doesn't want companies operating that are breaking the law.

Thanks for correcting me but that is not response I was looking for.
I wanted to know what Onlinenic had to say for themselves.

This sucks, good thing i saw this thread. Moving away from there now.

I wanted to know what Onlinenic had to say for themselves.
After viewing this thread I was concerned enough to transfer out of OnlineNIC. I have subsequently received an enquiry email from them requesting feedback on why I chose to do so. Could just be an automated communication, however I have replied and included a link to this thread in my reply.
We may yet see something from them.

We may yet see something from them.
Apologies for the DP, but it's a follow up to my previous post.
I have received a reply to the email that I sent to OnlineNIC, in which it is indicated that they are currently in legal discussion.
If the matter is indeed sub judice, then IMHO it's not likely they will post anything publicly in a forum such as this, as it may negatively impact on their legal proceedings. (They didn't say this, I'm just inferring it.)
I guess they will issue a press release on the subject when they are in a position do so.

TDS-chriss, they didn't respond to the Verizon lawsuit. I don't even think they were served because the addresses they listed weren't legitimate from what i've seen in the Verizon complaint. I don't know about the Yahoo one.
In any event, they aren't going to post here and even if they would it shouldn't matter much. OnlineNIC is what it is, look at the complaints filed against them. There is nothing they can say about it. ICANN let's this behavior go on because they get paid for it.

weird, look at this one http.

weird, look at this one http.
What http?

Wow It looks like I need start looking I have tons of Domains with them..

I also have lots of domains with OnlineNIC.But i don't want to move them now.

why is such a critical domain registrar site down?

Who knows! Their support is up http://support.onlinenic.com/

Seems like they aren't really actively doing anything on their support site's (news section):
Latest News
July 02: News: CNNIC system updates
There is another thread (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=759831) on their site being down.
Is this related to their lawsuite? Can anyone say this for a fact?

Their site is up and running again, probably a downtime unrelated to the lawsuit

Since the company is Chinese and offshore you can assume they will get out of it.. xD

SolidStateSociety, the nature of this thread wasn't to say OnlineNIC is going to be shutdown. It was to bring out into the open information about a company that alot of people do business with.
When we were looking at domain companies to resale out of OnlineNIC was one of our first choices. This was far before we knew they were really a Chinese company. They gave I believe San Francisco addresses and numbers and every attempt to contact them via fax, email, im not sure if they have a telephone # but they all went un-answered. When a company doesn't want to answer requests like this we just move on but later we discovered who OnlineNIC really is. Im not sure if customers of OnlineNIC have suffered because of their wrong-doings. I guess the moral of the thread is do you really know who your doing business with.

Is anybody experiencing problems transferring domains out of OnlineNIC?

Since che 19th of march all of the tranfers-out are refused.
Is this legal? Does ICANN allows that?

Was the domains unlocked?

Is this legal?

When a court of competent jurisdiction orders that, unfortunately yes. One lawyer who checks this case periodically posted in another forum that Verizon got a court order to lock them, after finding out OnlineNIC transferred out some when Verizon was about to enforce their judgment on them.

If anyone's looking to blame anyone, looks like it's OnlineNIC. Also unfortunately, it's "hurting" OnlineNIC's unwitting customers who have nothing to do with this dispute, and it won't be resolved quick.

If anyone's looking to blame anyone, looks like it's OnlineNIC. Also unfortunately, it's "hurting" OnlineNIC's unwitting customers who have nothing to do with this dispute, and it won't be resolved quick.

Thanks Dave.

Our customers are starting to be angry, isn't there anything we can do? This is starting to be a HUGE problem.

How about do business with legitimate companies that operate withing YOUR jurisdiction. OnlineNic is and always was a chinese front company. While verizon and yahoo and all can sue or whatever I doubt it would ever close down onlinenic however it is going to impact customers when issues like this arise.

There is nothing valid about onlinenics USA information. When we were looking for a domain reseller program we called them numerous times at their California office, wrote emails etc... nothing, because they aren't in california.

Shazan, i'd be writing ICANN to have the domains unlocked and transferred out, other then planning vacations ICANN does have some responsibility in the domain business when things occur.

One lawyer who checks this case periodically posted in another forum that Verizon got a court order to lock them, after finding out OnlineNIC transferred out some when Verizon was about to enforce their judgment on them.


Could you post the link to the discussion?

Thanks

One lawyer who checks this case periodically posted in another forum that Verizon got a court order to lock them, after finding out OnlineNIC transferred out some when Verizon was about to enforce their judgment on them.

That seems to be funny, did onlinenic transfer out the domains or was the transfer done by the customer that owned those domains?

Usually lawyers try to cheat the judges to go after the bigger pockets

Shazan, were you able to transfer the domain? here's an article i found;

In December, Verizon Communications received a $33.15 million default judgment against OnlineNIC in a similar case, which Verizon described as the largest cybersquatting judgment ever.

OnlineNIC has moved to set aside the default judgment, arguing that it only became aware of the suit three days before the default judgment was entered.

On Monday, Verizon filed a memorandum in opposition of OnlineNIC’s motion, accusing it engaging in “misrepresentations and gamesmanship” to delay litigation and avoid responsibility for cybersquatting.

On Wednesday of this week, Judge Jeremy Fogel issued an injunction in the Verizon case barring OnlineNIC from transferring assets, destroying documents and transferring any domain names.

Source: http://www.thedomains.com/2009/03/12/onlinenic-settles-with-microsoft-appeals-verizon-decision/

Edit: i have just checked the domain trend for onlinenic and it does appear that thousands of domains are still being transferred out successfully on a weekly basis

No, I wasn't able to transfer the domain.

Anyway, I think that the trend is descending because of the expired domains, not because of the transfers. Their support claims that domains can't be transferred out because of a new software...

Our customers are starting to be angry, isn't there anything we can do?

Unfortunately, talk to Verizon. This is honestly going to be easier said than done, but probably talk to their lawyers Sarah Deutsch or Howard Kroll (http://www.cph.com//sub/index.jsp?contentid=UQGgyZyx8YpoQ3VQj81O0mgs).

If you do manage to talk to either of them, don't imply any threat whatsoever. They're really not obligated or forced to do anything for anyone else except for their client.

Also, the thread I mentioned previously appears to have vanished. No idea why, but you can search online around on Verizon having secured a domain-lock order against OnlineNIC.

Shazan, i'd be writing ICANN to have the domains unlocked and transferred out

Also unfortunately, that won't work. ICANN's authority isn't greater than a court of law's, the latter having ordered OnlineNIC to lock them.

I only read this thread now... this is bad news.. we have been transferring out many domains but still have few hundred left with them and there systems apparently not letting those transfers go through!...

Yes under_gravity, very bad news...

We have more than two thousands domains with them...

Anyone has any updates on this thing?

Dave_Zan, I like what you said.

"Also unfortunately, that won't work. ICANN's authority isn't greater than a court of law's, the latter having ordered OnlineNIC to lock them."

I do recall ICANN trying to position itself outside the hands of any government control. I guess that's still pending:)

I too am having trouble getting my domain out of OnlineNIC. Please note that nothing in this post should be considered to be legal advice - it is just my notes on where I am up to in the process of getting my domain out.

Note that the theory posted here that OnlineNIC is forced by injunction to NACK all transfer out requests is false. The 11th of April injunction says:

"
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT Defendant OnlineNIC Inc. ("OnlineNIC"), and OnlineNIC's officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, successors-in-interest, parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated companies, and all other persons, firms or entities acting in concert or participating with them, directly or indirectly, is prohibited from:
...snip...
4. transferring, releasing, deleting, or assigning any domain names;
5. changing the companies or customer identification numbers used to generate any monies from any of the domain names; and
6. assisting, aiding or abetting any other person or business entity in engaging in or performing any of the activities referred to in subparagraphs 1-5 above,

This injunction shall not apply to transactions required in the ordinary course of lawful business which are made in good faith and which do not deprive Plaintiffs of their ability to satisfy their judgment.
"

My domain name does not infringe any of Verizon's trademarks, and is certainly not named in the lawsuit, so it does not deprive Verizon of the ability to satisfy the judgment. OnlineNIC became the registrar of record for my domain name in the ordinary course of lawful business, and are required by ICANN policy to, in the ordinary course of business, not reject the transfer except as allowed by ICANN policy. Accepting such a transfer would certainly be in good faith.

ICANN's policy at url removed due to WHT restrictions says:
"
The Registrar of Record may deny a transfer request only in the following specific instances:

1. Evidence of fraud
2. UDRP action
3. Court order by a court of competent jurisdiction
4. Reasonable dispute over the identity of the Registered Name Holder or Administrative Contact
5. No payment for previous registration period (including credit card charge-backs) if the domain name is past its expiration date or for previous or current registration periods if the domain name has not yet expired. In all such cases, however, the domain name must be put into "Registrar Hold" status by the Registrar of Record prior to the denial of transfer.
6. Express written objection to the transfer from the Transfer Contact. (e.g. - email, fax, paper document or other processes by which the Transfer Contact has expressly and voluntarily objected through opt-in means)
7. A domain name was already in "lock status" provided that the Registrar provides a readily accessible and reasonable means for the Registered Name Holder to remove the lock status.
8. A domain name is in the first 60 days of an initial registration period.
9. A domain name is within 60 days (or a lesser period to be determined) after being transferred (apart from being transferred back to the original Registrar in cases where both Registrars so agree and/or where a decision in the dispute resolution process so directs).
"
So now that 3 is ruled out, there is no legitimate reason for OnlineNIC to refuse the transfer.

The procedure from here is to attempt the transfer with another registrar, and when they deny the transfer, the new registrar can complain to the registry (i.e. Verisign) under the Registrar Transfer Dispute Policy ( URL removed due to WHT restrictions ) that OnlineNIC is improperly denying the transfer. If Verisign decides in favour of the new registrar - which they should if OnlineNIC's only excuse is their systems aren't working - then the cost of processing the dispute have to be met by OnlineNIC.

I found the following info, at a different registrar having exactly the same problem.

http://www.belgiumdomains.com/lawsuit.htm

About the Dell/Yahoo! lawsuit

We have the unhappy duty of informing you that on October 10, 2007, Dell, Inc., Alienware, Inc., and Yahoo! Inc., filed lawsuits against BelgiumDomains and two other registrars. The plaintiffs allege that a small percentage of the domain names we have registered for our clients have names confusingly similar to their trademarks. However, instead of bringing their complaints in open court, the plaintiffs proceeded in secrecy, inflicting tremendous damage on BelgiumDomains and the other defendants.
The worst of those injuries also affects our customers: the plaintiffs obtained a court order forcing VeriSign, Inc., our registry, to lock most of the domain names we have registered on behalf of our registrants.
We have retained Newman Dichter LLP, one of the leading firms in domain-related legal disputes, and are confident that we will ultimately prevail. At this early stage, we cannot predict how long the court orders affecting your domain names will remain in place. However, we now have an arrangement with plaintiffs permitting us to address issues with individual domain names on a case-by-case basis.
Please accept BelgiumDomains's sincere apology for this completely unpredictable turn of events. Rest assured that we take our responsibilities to you and your account seriously and are working aggressively to remedy this unfortunate and unfair situation as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need assistance with a particular domain name, do not hesitate to contact us or our attorneys.

Legal Team
BelgiumDomains, LLC

So we now know 2 out of the 3 registrar... Onlinenic and Belgiumdomains but which is the third one?

So we now know 2 out of the 3 registrar... Onlinenic and Belgiumdomains but which is the third one?

I didn't know there were 3 registrars involved

Thanks to google, the third is Domain Doorman

http://www.domaindoorman.com/lawsuit.htm

And another registrar http://www.capitoldomains.com/lawsuit.htm

So there seems to be one lawsuit against Onlinenic, from Verizon
And another one against belgiumdomains, domaindoorman and capitoldomains, by Dell and Alienware

More information about that can be read here (http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2007/12/dell-v-belgium.html)

And another registrar http://www.capitoldomains.com/lawsuit.htm

So there seems to be one lawsuit against Onlinenic, from Verizon
And another one against belgiumdomains, domaindoorman and capitoldomains, by Dell and Alienware

More information about that can be read here (http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2007/12/dell-v-belgium.html)

I do recall ICANN trying to position itself outside the hands of any government control. I guess that's still pending:)

Yup. But even if ICANN did, that registrar or Registry can still be bound under any applicable law in their jurisdiction.

Anything's possible. It just depends if one will make a determined effort or so.

So now that 3 is ruled out, there is no legitimate reason for OnlineNIC to refuse the transfer.

If you want a really authoritative interpretation of that, ask the judge who made the order. Especially on the "This injunction shall not apply to transactions required in the ordinary course of lawful business which are made in good faith and which do not deprive Plaintiffs of their ability to satisfy their judgment" part.

Until then, OnlineNIC believes they have to obey that order or risk penalties they suddenly have no interest in paying. Is there any non-profit organization capable of overriding on their own an order from a court of competent jurisdiction?

> If you want a really authoritative interpretation of that, ask the
> judge who made the order. Especially on the "This injunction shall not
> apply to transactions required in the ordinary course of lawful
> business which are made in good faith and which do not deprive
> Plaintiffs of their ability to satisfy their judgment" part.
>
> Until then, OnlineNIC believes they have to obey that order or risk
> penalties they suddenly have no interest in paying. Is there any
> non-profit organization capable of overriding on their own an order
> from a court of competent jurisdiction?

The injunction does not apply to Verisign. After the new registrar opens a dispute under the transfer disputes policy, it is up to Verisign (the registry) to decide if OnlineNIC is entitled under the transfer policy to reject the transfer. To decide this they will face the question of whether or not OnlineNIC is prohibited from allowing the transfer by court order. The injunction does not apply to Verisign, so they have no incentive to be conservative. If Verisign decides that OnlineNIC was being too conservative and the court order doesn't apply, OnlineNIC will have to pay Verisign for the costs of making that determination, and Verisign will transfer the domain whether or not OnlineNIC likes it. It therefore seems like the right approach to take to get my domain out.

My point of view about this issue is that thousands of innocent customers are having problems because of this court order, and this makes me feel like is really dangerous to make business with a company based in the USA.

The injunction does not apply to Verisign, so they have no incentive to be conservative.

And neither does VeriSign have any incentive, or interest, in getting involved with a civil dispute between a registrar and a big company with deep pockets with an enforceable claim. Take it from someone who's worked in the business before and dealt with VeriSign a few times on a few registrar-Registry matters, and they have no obligations to non-direct users in the absense of any contract with them.

I'll honestly tell you you're wasting your time with VeriSign. But hey, I understand you do whatever you have to do to try to get your domain name out of OnlineNIC.

Good luck. And seriously, you ought to talk to a lawyer versed in these things like John Berryhill, Ari Goldberger, Howard Neu, Brett Lewis, etc.

this makes me feel like is really dangerous to make business with a company based in the USA.

Can't blame you. Also seriously, though, this thing can happen anywhere in the world.

Is there any time frame indicated by OnlineNic to their customers for resolving this issue?

Just thought I'd jump in here too, to let you know that I'm also affected by Onlinenic. (I believe this applies to ALL of their customers, actually.) They won't allow any of my couple hundred domains to be transferred. I've been in the process of moving them all to another Registrar, but it takes time and now my remaining domains are stuck. Onlinenic has admitted as much. They've been simply ignoring me for quite a while, but finally I got this response this morning...

Please understand we don't keep rejecting the transfer, just because the adjusting of the transfer program has not been finished yet. May you have our apology for the inconvenience caused? The time of adjusting our transfer program may be too long, but our intention just is serving you better in the coming days. In order to avoid your domains enter remdeption period, you can renew them here firstly.
Note the question. They aren't even sure if they apologize! :/

I've requested that they pay for my renewals until this is fixed, but of course they won't do that. They've already lost me domains in the past, and now this situation is worse. For the public record, I HATE Onlinenic for business, and I strongly advise anyone to stay away from them!

Maybe ICANN should do something about this, if the reason is "adjusting the transfer program", this is probably against icann rules.
It's the registrar obligation to keep their systems up and working. But i suspect they don't have to make any action to let a domain go and the action is needed to block the transfer

I've been following this thread for awhile here and elsewhere because I too am trying to get my domain name away from the clutches of OnlineNIC.

First off, ICANN has a history of not taking action unless there is enough public outcry. The action against RegisterFly came only after one of the founders was found guilty of fraud by the court after many months of complaints by clients.

So it is up to each and every one of us to file a registrar complaint with ICANN in order to push them into action. Go to the ICANN dot org website and find the complaint form under "Having A Registar Problem?"

Secondly, the response I got from ICANN indicates that we can also ask the gaining registrar to start administrative proceedings against OnlineNIC under the Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy <icann dot org/transfers>. It is more likely that the word of an accredited registrar will be given more weight than that of an individual.

I realize that the second part is probably difficult for most of us since registrars don't want to get into the middle of domain transfer problems but for the unfortunate few who have hundreds of domains to transfer, the gaining registrar may be swayed by the potential business.

Good luck to us all.

I've been following this thread for awhile here and elsewhere because I too am trying to get my domain name away from the clutches of OnlineNIC.

First off, ICANN has a history of not taking action unless there is enough public outcry. The action against RegisterFly came only after one of the founders was found guilty of fraud by the court after many months of complaints by clients.

So it is up to each and every one of us to file a registrar complaint with ICANN in order to push them into action. Go to the ICANN dot org website and find the complaint form under "Having A Registar Problem?"

Secondly, the response I got from ICANN indicates that we can also ask the gaining registrar to start administrative proceedings against OnlineNIC under the Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy <icann dot org/transfers>. It is more likely that the word of an accredited registrar will be given more weight than that of an individual.

I realize that the second part is probably difficult for most of us since registrars don't want to get into the middle of domain transfer problems but for the unfortunate few who have hundreds of domains to transfer, the gaining registrar may be swayed by the potential business.

Good luck to us all.

How about Bob Parsons? He was very active with the registerfly scandal in his blog, giving offers to transfer from RF to GD (when people could do it) and finally taking over all portfolio.

There is a form at www.bobparsons.com -> What would Bob do? ;-)
Let's suggest him to start pushing onlinenic

Maybe ICANN should do something about this, if the reason is "adjusting the transfer program", this is probably against icann rules.

I'm also rather curious about the "adjusting the transfer program" line. But seriously, forget ICANN's rules for this specific dispute.

The point here is Verizon got a court order to prevent OnlineNIC from transferring their managed domains out, which unfortunately affected some unwitting people. ICANN could probably talk to Verizon's lawyers about this, but they can't override a court's authority on their own.

I sincerely doubt ICANN will invest (or spend?) money to retain a lawyer to even remotely fight this. Even if they did, Verizon has deeper pockets to go against ICANN if need be.

And Bob? He won't push OnlineNIC, but he'll likely need to talk to Verizon also lest he risks having them do the smackdown on him, too.

Needless to say, it's a complex legal situation with no visible and immediate resolution.

The point here is Verizon got a court order to prevent OnlineNIC from transferring their managed domains out, which unfortunately affected some unwitting people. ICANN could probably talk to Verizon's lawyers about this, but they can't override a court's authority on their own.


As pointed out earlier in this thread, the court order is being interpreted by OnlineNIC to mean that they are prohibited from transferring ANY domains out. Want proof? Here is the official response I received today from ICANN regarding OnlineNIC denying transfers.



Dear Sir/Madam:

Thank you for contacting ICANN concerning your transfer issue with OnlineNIC. OnlineNIC is currently involved in a legal dispute. A court order was issued in this case and OnlineNIC has interpreted the court order to mean that it is prohibited from transferring any domains at this time. ICANN is closely monitoring the matter and upon receiving updated information, we will provide that information to you via e-mail. We will continue to work with OnlineNIC representatives to resolve registrant complaints.

Thank you for your patience.

Regards,
ICANN Services


After reading this, some very interesting things come to light. OnlineNIC has not been upfront about the reasons why they are denying all transfers. The story about "adjusting the transfer program" is just that, a story. Is this a surprise to anyone? Not really given their apparent willingness to engage in cybersquatting, kiting and tasting. The fact that they are not being truthful to their customers AND resellers should be a red flag to anyone who does business with them. The other thing is that ICANN is talking to OnlineNIC and not Verizon. I interpret that to mean that ICANN is asking OnlineNIC to abide by domain transfer rules or they might have yet another problem on their hands.

My conclusion is that this situation is not really that complex - OnlineNIC is going to deny transfers for the indeterminate future until they believe it is in their best interests to allow them again. Those of us who want to get out don't have much leverage - complain to ICANN or Verizon's legal department (like that will do any good). Otherwise, renew your domain(s) and wait until OnlineNIC feels enough damage has been done to their business and allows transfers. If and when that happens, I hope someone posts an update here so we can all get the hell out of there! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn't implode in our faces.

Can Bob help us out? I really don't know. It wouldn't hurt for someone to get his attention. If this drags out, I imagine it would be great fodder for his blog.

and allows transfers.

Which, unfortunately and currently, they can't. Feel free to check with a lawyer about this as I said previously, but OnlineNIC might get slapped with another court order (with possibly harsher penalties) if they choose to "defy" the current one.

I don't know how else to make this clearer, and I'm essentially repeating myself. But only the court can order OnlineNIC to do whatever with those domain names at this point, and neither ICANN's TDRP (which mainly addresses unauthorized domain transfers between registrars) nor Bob can do anything towards that court despite the publicity.

Now, maybe Bob (?) or, especially, ICANN could tell OnlineNIC all they want to move those domains out no matter what, and try to impose whatever legally possible and enforceable penalties if they opt to. But that costs money and time they'd rather spend elsewhere, and OnlineNIC is suddenly not interested in losing their registrar accreditation to Verizon.

I suggested talking to Verizon because that's, IMHO, the most practical solution. Frankly I myself ain't optimistic about that, but I realize some people ought to do something rather than nothing if they could.

Note: this seems like I'm wanting to have the last word, but I'm not. Discussion's healthy at times, and I don't mind losing, but I'm trying to give a realistic picture having worked in the business before and seen how these things can get...ugly.

Of course, anything can happen. And I do hope those unwittingly and negatively affected by this find a way to solve this problem, all because of OnlineNIC.

Which, unfortunately and currently, they can't. Feel free to check with a lawyer about this as I said previously, but OnlineNIC might get slapped with another court order (with possibly harsher penalties) if they choose to "defy" the current one.



You might have missed this very important bit from the injunction granted:

This injunction shall not apply to transactions required in the ordinary course of lawful business which are made in good faith and which do not deprive Plaintiffs of their ability to satisfy their judgment.


Apparently, for once, the presiding judge had a clue.

I don't think it is this black and white; the court did not order OnlineNIC to block all transfers of domain names, only those which don't occur in the ordinary course of lawful business or were made in bad faith or would deprive Verizon of the ability to satisfy their judgement.

So the court order is not at fault, and OnlineNIC is entirely to blame. I suspect the true nature of the issue is really:
1. OnlineNIC might actually see the court order as an opportunity to prevent customers who would otherwise leave from doing so, and instead force them to renew their domains with OnlineNIC.
2. To properly comply with the court order, OnlineNIC would need to monitor every domain name being transferred out, and check whether it was on the list of domain names believed to be involved in the judgement (or possibly have someone check manually). This obviously involves some level of expense for OnlineNIC, and so they are probably reluctant to put too much resource into doing this. It also involves a risk that if they let a trademark infringing domain name fall through the cracks when they shouldn't have, they could face further legal repercussions.

However, the TDRP is currently the proper process to resolve this. If a TDRP case gets filed against OnlineNIC, Verisign, or the independent arbitrators, will need to decide whether or not OnlineNIC followed the correct process in denying a transfer. If OnlineNIC repeats their defence that it is a technical problem causing them to have followed the incorrect process, then that is an admission they have followed the incorrect process, and they would most likely lose. If they say that they followed the correct process by complying with a court order, the arbitrator needs to decide if the court order really does prohibit the transfer (for most registrants trying to transfer out, the court order does not prohibit the transfer).

The arbitrator (e.g. Verisign) do have a genuine incentive to investigate the case, because the TDRP allows for them to get paid for performing the arbitration function (by the registrar who loses the case). And they are not bound by the injunction (but they will still take OnlineNIC's side if they find OnlineNIC was required to block the transfer the injunction, not because they are legally required to, but because they face a question of whether or not OnlineNIC's decision to deny the transfer was proper). They do not need any co-operation from OnlineNIC to implement their decision; they can simply override the registrar of record in the registry.

The only problem with this is that it can be hard for registrants to get registrars to file a TDRP dispute, because a TDRP dispute carries the risk of losing and being forced to pay arbitration fees, while the only benefit to the registrar is that if they win, they get the transfer in cost of one extra domain. However, registrars might be able to batch up more than one domain in a single complaint, in which case it might be more worthwhile for them.

I'm aware of that, plumsauce. And don't forget this portion quoted also:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT Defendant OnlineNIC Inc. ("OnlineNIC"), and OnlineNIC's officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, successors-in-interest, parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated companies, and all other persons, firms or entities acting in concert or participating with them, directly or indirectly, is prohibited from:
...snip...
4. transferring, releasing, deleting, or assigning any domain names;

Seemingly the judge excluded number four from the "transactions required in the ordinary course of lawful business which are made in good faith and which do not deprive Plaintiffs of their ability to satisfy their judgment" part. Unless someone wants to tell the judge otherwise?

the court did not order OnlineNIC to block all transfers of domain names

Well, what else does number four from above mean? I don't see anything saying this or that domain will be allowed to be transferred, released, deleted or assigned. Anyone?

And as for the TDRP:

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-08nov04.htm

The Policy provides that registrars wishing to dispute another registrar's alleged violations of this policy may initiate a dispute proceeding with the appropriate registry operator or with an independent dispute resolution provider.

FYI, TDRP's intended to address unauthorized domain transfers between registrars. And it's an administrative proceeding, which can be overridden anyway:

http://www.icann.org/en/transfers/dispute-policy-12jul04.htm

The decision of the Dispute Resolution Panel is final, except as it may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction.

We've tried that ourselves, and it cost us money doing that with an "uncooperative" registrar. Only the registrar can initiate that as you noted, but who'll do that for this dispute?

What has VeriSign said about this if you already communicated this to them about it?

If they can't transfer any domain name, how did they transfer the following domains?

http://www.webhosting.info/registrars/reports/loss_details/transfers/ONLINENIC.COM/

If they can't transfer any domain name, how did they transfer the following domains?

http://www.webhosting.info/registrars/reports/loss_details/transfers/ONLINENIC.COM/

That website offers inacurate information, i transfered 72 domains from registrar A to registrar B in April, and as of today, only 8 of those domains appeared on that site (i've been checking every week)

Ooops, I was just about to reply that that site's not completely accurate until I saw elmister's post. I've also seen inaccurate reports with that, but I gather that's because someone has to "manually" check and update it.

And if OnlineNIC did transfer some domains out inspite of the court order, oh boy.

I've been using OnlineNIC for so long 'coz they are cheap. And I really do get what I pay for.

There have been too many signs that I ignored. I could rant about so many things but I'll have no one to blame but myself.

Local law always over ICANN regulations because it is law when ICANN just issue rules/recommendations. So, Onlinenic must follow US court order because if they want still operate on US territory and declining transfer due to court order can't be count as violation with ICANN terms. LEts' see other exmaple - if your bank is under investigation it is very possible that you as customer cannot operate with your funds. Is is bad situation for customer but there is nothing wrong with current law.
Court is court and who know who will win and i more than sure that even if Verizon win Onlinenic will continue their business and we as customer will not affected by any way. Even if they unexpectedly decide close their domain registration business ICANN offer way how such situation can be solved. So, to be honest i don't seem here anything to be pain. Any business can be sued (in some case for very stupid reason) and it is actually normal. Likely there is nothing which require take a down all registrar equipment and get all of us to risk lost our domains like it was happen with Alpha-Red and few small DC in Dallas.

I've just transferred a .eu domain out of OnlineNIC.

In my opinion, this means that the problem is with Verisign or OnlineNIC is just blocking the domains they want to block...

I've just transferred a .eu domain out of OnlineNIC.

I don't think Verisign has anything to do with .EU domains. If I'm not mistaken, they only control CNO (COM NET ORG)

This is exactly my point.

If they have to obey to the court order, they shouldn't allow *any* transfer out, including .eu domains.

If com, net and org are not allowed to be transferred, this means that the problems is with Verisign, and *not* with EurID, for example.

I've just transferred a .eu domain out of OnlineNIC.

In my opinion, this means that the problem is with Verisign or OnlineNIC is just blocking the domains they want to block...

Unfortunately not; Eurid (the registry for .eu) has different policies to the ICANN policies for TLD, and AFAIK they don't allow the losing registrar to block a transfer. So OnlineNIC has no ability to block the transfer of your .eu domain, but they do for, say, my .com domain.

And Dave Zan said:
"Seemingly the judge excluded number four from the "transactions required in the ordinary course of lawful business which are made in good faith and which do not deprive Plaintiffs of their ability to satisfy their judgment" part. Unless someone wants to tell the judge otherwise?"
No, there were a list of requirements for the injunction, and then at the bottom, was the bit which says that limits the applicability of the entire injunction.

yes but .cc/.biz domains cannot be transferred either ... not only com/net/org

Eurid (the registry for .eu) has different policies to the ICANN policies for TLD, and AFAIK they don't allow the losing registrar to block a transfer.

ICANN should copy from Eurid then, as it seems a better model to protect the customers.

Has anyone successfully transferred a .com/net/org out of onlinenic since this started?

ICANN should copy from Eurid then, as it seems a better model to protect the customers.

Both, ICANN and Eurid should learn from .es registry


-The registry gives you a control panel access you can use to quit current registrar and manage the domain directly if needed.

-Transfers are FREE, no registration time is added to transfers, of course, you can change the registrar as much as you need. If your registrar gives bad support, change it at no cost ;-) There is no need for auth codes your losing registrar can hide.

-Transfers are confirmed at registry control panel, losing registrar can't avoid a transfer.

-Registrant name can't be edited unless documents are signed, if your domain get's stolen (someone gets your password), the criminal can't change the ownership data, you can recover the name control within hours after proving identity.

-Registry has a phone number to get direct support.

-Transfers are confirmed at registry control panel, losing registrar can't avoid a transfer.
How can you deal with this scenario: fraud credit card is used to register domain for 10 years and transfer to a different registrar.
-Registrant name can't be edited unless documents are signed, if your domain get's stolen (someone gets your password), the criminal can't change the ownership data, you can recover the name control within hours after proving identity.
Who will do the support?
There are millions of Top Level Domains owned by individuals and businesses around the world.

As far as I can see, it works in the same way as the italian registry, so I suppose:

How can you deal with this scenario: fraud credit card is used to register domain for 10 years and transfer to a different registrar.


The italian registry invoices the registrar on yearly basis, so it can't happen.


Who will do the support?
There are millions of Top Level Domains owned by individuals and businesses around the world.

For the .it domains, the registrant requests and signs for a modification in a written form, then the registry informs the registrar that a request as been sent, so the registrar can confirm and edit the whois infos. The italian registry gives support to the registrants if needed, even by phone.

The customers are totally safe with this model.

That means its not a good idea to register a .it for 10 years cuz maybe the registrar will go bust in 5 then you lose 5 years money.

How can you deal with this scenario: fraud credit card is used to register domain for 10 years and transfer to a different registrar.


I know there is a money-back period for the registrars, i don't know how long is it.
Registrations are 1 year, only 1 year, you'll have to renew every year.

About credit card fraud, i have 0.0% fraud in my credit card processing, absolutely 0%, using Verified by Visa system guarantees me a 0% chargeback and 1.15% processing fee, and i know spanish companies processing at 0.89%

unsafe credit card processing is more expensive

Who will do the support?
There are millions of Top Level Domains owned by individuals and businesses around the world.

The registry, of course, you can register a .es at the registry for 32€ /year or for less than 10€ at the registrars.

In what jurisdiction was the court order? Has onlinenic appealed it or at least had the order stayed pending resolution in court? Sounds like the matter was put in front of a non-technical judge and the plaintiffs are playing that angle.

Both, ICANN and Eurid should learn from .es registry


-The registry gives you a control panel access you can use to quit current registrar and manage the domain directly if needed.

-Transfers are FREE, no registration time is added to transfers, of course, you can change the registrar as much as you need. If your registrar gives bad support, change it at no cost ;-) There is no need for auth codes your losing registrar can hide.

-Transfers are confirmed at registry control panel, losing registrar can't avoid a transfer.

-Registrant name can't be edited unless documents are signed, if your domain get's stolen (someone gets your password), the criminal can't change the ownership data, you can recover the name control within hours after proving identity.

-Registry has a phone number to get direct support.

Sounds interesting. I venture the Registry can afford all that, depending on how many .es domain names it manages along with its potential risks.

In what jurisdiction was the court order? Has onlinenic appealed it or at least had the order stayed pending resolution in court?

Northern District of California, where OnlineNIC listed their U.S. office address. And so far they're appealing.

Sounds interesting. I venture the Registry can afford all that, depending on how many .es domain names it manages along with its potential risks.


With nearly 1 million .es domains registered, most part from registrars paying (bulk registrar pricing, not end user pricing) 4.09€ for .es and 1.29€ for .com.es (and other 3rd level .es), they have a budged that allows them to have that system, give support, organize events to promote .es and even organize promotions giving away domains for free (they had a promotion for free .es in christmas, i think about 200000 domains were registered for free by the registrars, i got a few ;-) )

Sounds interesting. I venture the Registry can afford all that, depending on how many .es domain names it manages along with its potential risks.



Northern District of California, where OnlineNIC listed their U.S. office address. And so far they're appealing.

So did they request the matter be stayed depending on the outcome of the appeal? It seems something that would impact registrants ICANN should of been all over this instead of figuring out ways to push new TLD's and make money from that (who said not for profit :)

What I know from ICANN is that you can try to get the court order from Northern District of Califormia- if you are a Registrar- I'm trying to do so.
In my case- it will be very helpful if our mad customers will decide to start proceeding against us.
Anyway- we were trying to get any information from OnlineNIC (we are their very big partner)and thet didn't reply- or said exactly what is written here- that they found some tech problems.

I am sure there are copies, I think you have to have access to the PACER system to get it

How can you deal with this scenario: fraud credit card is used to register domain for 10 years and transfer to a different registrar.

Who will do the support?
There are millions of Top Level Domains owned by individuals and businesses around the world.

Huh... how is this about the thread in question???????

Note that there is now two new modified injunctions made as of yesterday; I plan to put it up on my site once I have reviewed them.

Okay, I have now put the posts up. Please feel free to download them from my site, but preferably don't give the URLs out to customers (instead mirror the documents) as I only have limited CPU allocated to the VPS serving these:
* The original injunction: http://www.amxl.com/system/files/Injunction-11-March-2009_0.pdf
* Yesterday's order appointing a receiver: http://www.amxl.com/system/files/Appointment-Of-Receiver-13-May-2009.pdf
* Yesterday's order modifying the injunction: http://www.amxl.com/system/files/Modified-Injunction-13-May-2009.pdf

The modified injunction has this crucial difference:

...
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT OnlineNIC shall not transfer, release, delete or assign any domain name without the prior written approval of Verizon or the Court appointed
Receiver in accordance with the procedure set forth below:
1. Within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a transfer notification from a registry operator, OnlineNIC shall provide to counsel for Verizon:
– the registry transfer request for each proposed domain name transfer,
– the WHOIS data for the registrant of the domain name seeking the transfer,
– a certificate signed under penalty of perjury by an officer of OnlineNIC that the registrar is not affiliated with, employed by, acting in concert with or related to OnlineNIC or OnlineNIC’s officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, or affiliated companies of OnlineNIC,
– a certificate signed under penalty of perjury by an officer of OnlineNIC that the registrant or account holder is not affiliated with, employed by, acting in concert with or related to OnlineNIC or OnlineNIC’s officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, or affiliated companies of OnlineNIC, and
– a certificate signed under penalty of perjury by an officer of OnlineNIC that OnlineNIC did not communicate with or pay any party to induce the transfer of the domain name.
2. Within seventy-two (72) hours of the notice required in paragraph 1, Verizon shall provide written consent for the requested transfer provided that the requested transfer qualifies as a transfer made with good faith, is made within the ordinary course of lawful business and does not deprive Verizon of its ability to satisfy its judgment.
3. If Verizon does not consent to a transfer as provided in paragraph 2, OnlineNIC may appeal such decision to the Receiver within eight (8) hours after receiving notice of Verizon’s determination.
4. Within thirty-six (36) hours of receipt of any appeal pursuant to paragraph 3, the Receiver shall provide a written determination to Verizon and OnlineNIC as to whether the requested transfer is in good faith, is within the ordinary course of lawful business and does not deprive Verizon of its ability to satisfy judgment.
The determinations of the Receiver are subject to review by the Court.
5. If the Receiver issues a determination stating that a proposed transfer is not in good faith, is not within the ordinary course of lawful business or would deprive Verizon of its ability to satisfy its judgment, OnlineNIC shall issue a “NACK” command denying the requested transfer.
OnlineNIC shall provide to Verizon, in its native electronic format, the daily transfer logs OnlineNIC receives from any registry operator.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT all domain names transferred from OnlineNIC to 35 Technology Co. Ltd. (“35 Technology”) between February 27, 2009 and March 14, 2009 shall be transferred back to OnlineNIC as follows: within one day of entry of this modified Injunction, OnlineNIC shall submit this modified Injunction to ICANN and request that all such transfers be undone in accordance with Section 6 of the ICANN Policy on Transfer of Registrations between Registrars.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT all domain names transferred from OnlineNIC to 35 Technology Co. Ltd. (“35 Technology”) between February 27, 2009 and March 14, 2009 shall be transferred back to OnlineNIC as follows: within one day of entry of this modified Injunction, OnlineNIC shall submit this modified Injunction to ICANN and request that all such transfers be undone in accordance with Section 6 of the ICANN Policy on Transfer of Registrations between Registrars.


This seems unreasonable. It seems the plaintiffs really can care less about client impact and only cares about collecting the judgement and their personal hefty fees. Lawyers suck

Thanks for the update, A1kmm. That tidbit you mentioned seems a tad inconvenient (and that's saying it mildly) to unwitting OnlineNIC users, but at least some progress has been made.

To those affected: take advantage of this while you can despite how you feel about it. And while Verizon hasn't changed their minds...yet.

Thanks A1kmm.

It seems to me that Onlinenic are not going to do all that for any Joe Schmo. They'll just maintain the status quo as it is now. Transfer nothing.

I received this note from ICANN:

Customers of registrar OnlineNIC who had problems with previous transfer requests should now be able to transfer their domains to a different registrar if they wish.

ICANN is aware that some customers of OnlineNIC have been prevented from completing requested transfers and ICANN has been working with the relevant parties in an effort to resolve complaints.

OnlineNIC, Inc. had interpreted a court order to mean that OnlineNIC was prohibited from allowing any domain names registered under its accreditation to be transferred to a different registrar. Two new court orders issued on 13 May 2009 provide for a receiver to act in a limited capacity in order to facilitate the transfer process.

Any registrant that experienced difficulty recently with transferring domain names from OnlineNIC to another registrar should now be able to complete the transfer by contacting their preferred registrar. Once the transfer request is initiated, it is expected that OnlineNIC and its receiver will follow the procedure spelled out by the court to permit legitimate transfers to be processed within a few days of the request.

While transfers should be possible now, ICANN is not suggesting that registrants request transfers if they are satisfied with the service and functionality available through OnlineNIC.
_________

The note is dated on 15th of May, today we have 18th and I dont really see transfers working.

Maybe on your site transfers works properly ?

I read the same article

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15may09-en.htm

Anyone have success transferring out?

Did not know they put onlinenic into receivership. So are they going to be liquidated?

If onlinenic is liquidated, what would happen to remaining balance?

As i'm afraid it would be lost, i'll do a little experiment.

I'm transfering in a domain, to onlinenic, just to spend remaining balance, and once there, i'll spend all remaining money in renewals.
I'm doing this with a non critical domain because i don't have more .com/net/org domains there, only a .cn that has already been renewed to the max the customer accepted after being explained the problem with onlinenic.

Let's see what happens to my domain.

Will we see a new Verizon-Nic? will be Verizon the receiver?

Transfers are still not working.

Our Client sent us this post:
"This is Hummy from OnlineNIC Customer Service.

Sorry for all inconveneience caused during the past period in advance. Please be kindly informed that our transfer out problem will be ok soon. But for the specific details we have to have a check with the the staff concerned to get the confirmed reply here later. We will get back to you when we have something new and important. Please just rest assured for a while and wait for our latest information. Thanks very much."

Nothing changed :/

elmister, good question. What will happen with domains if OnlineNIC is liquidated?
Isn't true, according to RAA, that in this kind of circumstances OnlineNIC must transfer all of the domains to another registrar?

elmister, good question. What will happen with domains if OnlineNIC is liquidated?
Isn't true, according to RAA, that in this kind of circumstances OnlineNIC must transfer all of the domains to another registrar?

I'm not worried about domains, they will be transfered to other registrar like it happened in the past with others.

My concern is about the balance, i have several hundred dollars there, so i'll be transfering TO onlinenic, in order to spend that money in renewals, one way or another, the domains will come back to me, renewed 10 years, in a new registrar. Of course i will do it with non critical domains.

Hello

Whats the deal to transfer to another registrar?
Do all registrars charge one year renewal fees?
I have thousands domains with onlinenic, if i have to pay the renewals in order to transfer, i am busted.

Are you aware of any registrar that accepts transfers without renewing the domain with lower cost?

What are the best onlinenic alternatives?

Enom, reselerclub , wildwest?

yes, you will need to pay for 1 year when you transfer the name.

When you transfer out, the transfer fee will need to be paid,

The only way around this is to wait until ICANN get involved (should they) and wait for all domains to be raffled to a new registrar.

That or find a registrar willing to give you a deal for transferring out ;)

Kind regards,
Chris

Has anyone had any success transferring a domain out of OnlineNIC?

I've tried to initiate yet another transfer but it doesn't seem that it will go through.

There is announcement at ICANN saying the transfer problems were resolved
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15may09-en.htm

There shouldn't be any problem transfering away at this time

There shouldn't be any problem transfering away at this time

On last Thursday I've wtitten to ICANN about not resolved problem with transfers. Contact person form ICANN has forvarded my e-mail to Compliance Department, but that's second time when I didn't get any response.

I've just received and email from Resellerclub, i don't know how did they find i have a reseller account at onlinenic, they are targetting onlinenic customers

This is the email i got

http://resources.resellerclub.com/mailers/OnlineNIC_Webinar_Invite-21-05-09.html

Maybe they found out because of your posting on WHT.

Hello

I have currently over 500 domains registered with OnlineNIC. I read this thread, but I don't know - do I have to transfer them out from OnlineNIC to another registrar ? Is OnlineNIC going to be closed? What would happen to my domains? Do I have to contact any other registrar to start transfering them out of OnlineNIC? Or I will lose my domains? Please help me to get better knowledge about the problem.

Maybe they found out because of your posting on WHT.

My email is not available here, also they sent it to the email address i use in whois.

Hello

I have currently over 500 domains registered with OnlineNIC. I read this thread, but I don't know - do I have to transfer them out from OnlineNIC to another registrar ? Is OnlineNIC going to be closed? What would happen to my domains? Do I have to contact any other registrar to start transfering them out of OnlineNIC? Or I will lose my domains? Please help me to get better knowledge about the problem.

nobody knows what's going to happen with onlinenic, keeping a minimal balance in the account, your whois details accurate and maybe transfering away your critical domains would be good idea in this situation.
Better safe than worry

I attempted a transfer to NameCheap a few days ago (after the announcement that transfers should be ok). This is what I got back:

Domain Name : embXXXXXada.com
Transferred for : 1 year(s)
Transfer Order ID : 3xxxxx5
Credit Card/ Funds Transaction ID : 7xx8:NxxM:4xx3:

Reason for Cancellation :
Canceled - The current registrar has rejected transfer (please contact them for details)

Still unable to transfer out of OnlineNIC.

Did you contact Onlinenic? What as their response?

Did you contact Onlinenic? What as their response?

I didn't bother. I'm just going to get the same stuff

Dear First Last,

Thanks for contacting OnlineNIC!

You have my apology for the inconvenience caused!
We are aware of that you, our resellers and their clients are encountering the problem of transferring out of domain names and your dissatisfaction is justified. Recently, we are adjusting our transfer programme with the good intention of serving you better. During this period of adjustment, the transfer-out is likely to be affected negatively. However, please understand OnlineNIC, do not block or reject transfer-out on purpose. We are striving as much as possible to fix this issue!

Thank you very much for your understanding!


and this

Dear First Last,

Thanks for contacting OnlineNIC!

This is XXXXX from OnlineNIC Customer Service.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Please be kindly informed that the staff concerned are dealing with the issue here and trying to get it done as soon as possible. Would you please wait for our update for the issue with your kind patience on your side? We'll keep you informed when we have any news about it. Thanks for your kind understanding and cooperation in advance.

and this

Dear First,

Thanks for contacting OnlineNIC!

We are urging our technicians to resolve the issue as soon as possible, when our system recovers, we will let you know at the first time! Thank you for your understand!

That's a response to the same ticket wherein I made a follow-up 3 times!

Although this was before May 15, I don't think anything has changed yet.

The way I see it, they're just trying to collect as much money as they can (forced renewals since we can't transfer out) while waiting for the final order to shut them down for good.

Then I'd report them to ICANN. It took how many reports before ICANN eventually listened over Registerfly?

Yeah, it sounds like another RegisterFly story~
Good luck for everyone who didn't transfer out before this mess occured. ICANN will come after OnlineNIC will bust out, so you'd better renew all of your domains while their payment system still works!!

Thus said: I don't understand how can anyone trust a company with no phone nor postal address on their website...!

Thus said: I don't understand how can anyone trust a company with no phone nor postal address on their website...!

Here they are: http://www.onlinenic.com/support/

OnlineNic a few days ago just send me sales letter to become their reseller. What's going on?

@ JFOC - i got it too.

Guys, were you able to transfer out your domains? Please advise.

Thanks!

Shazan, if you google the address you'll see that a number of businesses share the same exact address. This is a common practice for those that use po boxes as we do however if you streetview this address you'll notice something that was pointed out very early on in this thread, it's a parking lot. Perhaps the streetview angle isn't correct, however a company of OnlineNics size is probably somewhat required to have a physical presence here to conduct the scale of business that it does.

With the price of real estate today it wouldn't be all that hard for a company to do unless the company was simply a front company for a Chinese firm.

I think the most interesting thing about the support link from OnlineNIC is that they do not provide any information about their location in China, they instead try to maintain that they are US based?

Let me know if anyone here ever visits OnlineNIC in California:)

Theres actually one more piece to this puzzle of OnlineNIC as well.

In at least one of the complaints it was stated that OnlineNIC could not be served with papers because basically I think the address they provided is well non-existent. This in itself would violate the laws of operating a Corporation in most if not all US states.

You are required to have a physical place that can accept legal documents for you during regular hours in order to qualify for an INC, LLC etc... So for OnlineNIC not being able to be served should raise a number of red flags.

They also would not be able to conduct any banking transactions using a P.O box since that's also a violation of how the real world works. The information would somehow have to track back to physical establishments (not po boxes) for them to be able to process payments in US currency.

I've never done business with OnlineNIC, we tried to and right off the bat I assumed something was funny about them and it turns out there was. I highly doubt they are conducting business internationally since someone would have to pay fees every time.

The state of California shows the following address for

OnlineNIC.
909 MARINA VILLAGE PKWY #236
ALAMEDA, CA 94501

California's Secretary of State does not say if that information was updated recently but even if it was it would make sense for OnlineNIC to have the correct address on their site.

Ok good news.

I could succesfully transfer out a .com domain to Dotster.

Yeah, good news too- I've transfered out a .net domain to OVH.
Hope, rest will be successful as well

No luck transferring out my .org domain - same rejection as before.

Honestly, this whole lawsuit is BS if I understand correctly. So people used OnlineNIC to register a bunch of domains using verizon in the name, persumably let them expire (OnlineNIC then took over and held them for ads I assume) and Verizon sues OnlineNIC over the whole deal?

Only in the US would such crap fly :D Hopefully Verizon loses and gets their ass handed to them. They've only gotten big because of the incompetence of Comcast (I know, I worked for them lol).

larwilliams, I don't think you read things correctly. People weren't the ones behind this, OnlineNIC and it's management were behind this.

If you read into the complaints you'll see that this is the case and how OnlineNIC and other straw companies with the same contact information were involved in this. IE. if you want to register a bunch of domains for malicious use, the best way to do this would be through your own domain company as has been demonstrated with quite a few domain companies.

So it's not about OnlineNIC's customers, it's about OnlineNIC and it's management.

larwilliams, I don't think you read things correctly. People weren't the ones behind this, OnlineNIC and it's management were behind this.

If you read into the complaints you'll see that this is the case and how OnlineNIC and other straw companies with the same contact information were involved in this. IE. if you want to register a bunch of domains for malicious use, the best way to do this would be through your own domain company as has been demonstrated with quite a few domain companies.

So it's not about OnlineNIC's customers, it's about OnlineNIC and it's management.

Where is the proof behind this? It is easy to fake WHOIS data, as you should know :) Could you post a link with more information? Thanks! :)

The proof is in the complaints/lawsuits. The proof is the whole basis of the suits to begin with.

A court would never uphold a case against a domain company over domains they weren't directly involved in.

No luck transferring out my .org domain - same rejection as before.

On my side .org is ok.

I got this notice from OnlineNIC:
----
For transfer-out request of xxxxx.info, we have fixed the transfer-out within the scope of .com/.net/.org. But, for other types domain, it still need little time to back to normal of transferring out. Thanks for your understanding.
----

How is it on your side?

Ania, here is the my message from OnlineNIC:
---
"The transfer-out is now going towards a positive direction, but don’t set a high anticipation for customers because it won’t be easy.
However, we could suggest that the transfer-out works anyway though it might takes try several times".
---

I'll keep resubmitting and report if it works.

The proof is in the complaints/lawsuits. The proof is the whole basis of the suits to begin with.

A court would never uphold a case against a domain company over domains they weren't directly involved in.

I've the feeling that those domains were just protected by their ID-Shield... and Verizon thought OnlineNIC was involved because of that.

I've the feeling that those domains were just protected by their ID-Shield... and Verizon thought OnlineNIC was involved because of that.

Wouldn't be surprised if that turns out to be true. Given how clueless most courts (both juries and judges) are about technology, it's entirely possible.

OnlineNIC really needs to make a statement on this and stand up to the bullies called Verizon :D

It's not true, and it's all outlined in the complaints. Please read the complaints.

OnlineNIC really needs to make a statement on this

Sometimes saying nothing is the best so-called statement, considering OnlineNIC ignored this until Verizon moved to seize their registrar accreditation and got a domain-lock order.

Complaints are not final judgements, so let's wait before jumping into any conclusion.

It's also natural that OnlineNIC tries to protect their customers when possible, so it could be possible that they will admit and give the final customer informations when they can't absolutely avoid it.

I am not defending them but one should consider these possibilities and wait for the final judgmement.

Complaints are not final judgements, so let's wait before jumping into any conclusion.

It's also natural that OnlineNIC tries to protect their customers when possible, so it could be possible that they will admit and give the final customer informations when they can't absolutely avoid it.

I am not defending them but one should consider these possibilities and wait for the final judgment.

This is not a complaint. This is judgment from a court. looks like things doesn't look very good over at onlineNic . Its sounds like they are already under receivership.

http://www.ag-ip-news.com/GetArticle.asp?Art_ID=7109&lang=en

Wouldn't be surprised if that turns out to be true. Given how clueless most courts (both juries and judges) are about technology, it's entirely possible.

OnlineNIC really needs to make a statement on this and stand up to the bullies called Verizon :D

Well... I hope OnlineNIC goes down quick (after all our domains have been moved out) They are one of the worst unprofessional organisation I have seen....

That's a very good link under_gravity and it also brings back some memories of Registerfly with ICANN saying "well we wouldn't just transfer your domains away. ICANN conducted itself the same way the with Registerfly. GoDaddy is probably just waiting in the wings with alot of money going to ICANN to get all the OnlineNIC domains:)

I was unaware of the legal proceedings against Registerfly by ICANN at the time however I was one of the people with domains at Registerfly and I also ran into several billing issues with them prior to the company burning down.

For ICANN to make a statement like that I think it sends mixed signals to the community at large. Let's not forget that another domain company recently had it's accreditation stripped because of the background of the owner. OnlineNIC broke the law quite a few times and im not sure what ICANN is saying here, it's okay?

OnlineNIC broke the law quite a few times and im not sure what ICANN is saying here, it's okay?

Okay in what sense? ICANN said transfers are okay (or should be okay) to proceed, but they don't really have to comment on OnlineNIC breaking any civil laws.

Exxon and Microsoft paid huge fines for breaking environmental and anti-trust laws respectively. Yet the FTC and/or what other government regulatory body currently allows them to still do business.

Until either one does something that's massively illegal like Enron and Anderson Consulting's past actions, maybe.

I think what I was getting at is the writing may be on the wall. ICANN pretty much downplayed the whole registerfly fiasco until it was too late. Then once it was too late while ICANN was telling domain owners they would have a choice, there was no choice in the end.

Im sure once the domains got transferred to GoDaddy you were probably stuck at GoDaddy for at least 60 days.

I don't want to turn this into a Regfly issue but when you look at OnlineNIC, a company that provides US information but couldn't even be served papers this might be a company to stay away/run from.

They are holding my domain. 30 days has passed now and still my domain is on the waiting list. how I wish i registered my domain to enom/godaddy/moniker, the big players anyway.

Finally got one domain (.com) transferred from OnlineNIC to NameCheap.

How many times have you applied? One of my customers tried 7 times until now without luck Finally got one domain (.com) transferred from OnlineNIC to NameCheap.

How many times have you applied? One of my customers tried 7 times until now without luck

I guess it's more of WHEN rather than how many times. I had attempted a transfer 24 May (after the press release of 15 May that everything is now ok and transfers can proceed) but that failed. Before that, there was one domain that I tried several times and it failed.

However, I intiated a transfer Jun 3 and it was completed Jun 11. Since Jun 3, I've been 2 for 2 going good. I just initiated another 2 today.

However, I intiated a transfer Jun 3 and it was completed Jun 11. Since Jun 3, I've been 2 for 2 going good. I just initiated another 2 today.

Looks like I'm now 2 for 3. The transfer request I put in on Jun 12 failed. Reason:

Reason for Cancellation:
Canceled - The current registrar has rejected transfer (please contact them for details)

I wonder how the rest are doing

I have initiated 2 transfer at 2009-06-08 and the transfer was completed after 5 days. I think it was done by mistake. The domains are transferred out, but are still active in my Onlininic control panel !!!!! after that nothing I have still many pending transfers about 9 days ago, they will probably fail I wonder if there is a way to get rid of HorrOrlinenic

I opened a ticket about the failed transfer and this is what I got:

Sorry for the inconvenience that has caused on you by the transfer-out issue. Please just be a little patient and get the transfer request submitted for a few more times on your side. Then the staff concerned will have it checked ang pushed through at last. Thanks very much.

I can't complain to anyone. I used OnlineNIC because they are so damned cheap! And I get what I pay for.

It's not very beneficial to have this carry on as an OnlineNic bashing thread. The thread was regarding the legal implications imposed on the company and how the company has conducted itself. It's pretty obvious to me that this is a company to stay clear of because if things turn south you won't have any say in what goes on with your domains.

As long as your whois information is up to date and you can be contacted from the current whois information you have nothing to worry about with your domains. I have 64 domains in my onlinenic account that have been there since 2001. Regardless if I can't access onlinenic.com one day I know I'll still own my domains if worse comes to worse. ICANN won't let anything major happen.

Closed by request of the OP.