Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : Will New Rule Affect TotalNic?

[qllonceagain]

Has some domins still on Totalnic. I heard the new rule in July 2004 will force them to give up the locks. But I still have no luck.

Anyone tried to transfer domain out of them seccessfully?

[dmaven]

I think this might be more specific to australian domain name policies vs those goverened by icann. I know icann has the entire discussion of registrar to registrar transfers on the table.

[4solutions]

I have no idea what the specifics are with Totalnic, but the new Registrar to Registrar transfer rules are dated 12-Jul-2004, but are effective 12-Nov-2004. The details of the announcement are here: http://www.icann.org/announcements/advisory-12jul04.htm

[qllonceagain]

Originally posted by 4solutions
I have no idea what the specifics are with Totalnic, but the new Registrar to Registrar transfer rules are dated 12-Jul-2004, but are effective 12-Nov-2004. The details of the announcement are here: http://www.icann.org/announcements/advisory-12jul04.htm

I am not a lawyer. What is on the link is really difficult to understand. All I want to know is that: Is that true that Totalnic can no longer put LOCKs on domains? The default should be Unlock etc.

How can ICANN inforce the rules, as totalnic was able to screw everyone for 3 years, millions of complaints are filed and still no result.

Take a look at http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm
I think Totalnic will find millions of other ways to block all locks or transfers as well, as they did in the past.

[4solutions]

I'm no lawyer either. But it does state there that:

Instances when the requested change of Registrar may not be denied include, but are not limited to: ... Domain name in Registrar Lock Status, unless the Registered Name Holder is provided with the reasonable opportunity and ability to unlock the domain name prior to the Transfer Request.

So at least it looks like they are going to have to provide you with some reasonable opportunity or means for you to unlock the domain.

[qllonceagain]

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Instances when the requested change of Registrar may not be denied include, but are not limited to: ... Domain name in Registrar Lock Status, unless the Registered Name Holder is provided with the reasonable opportunity and ability to unlock the domain name prior to the Transfer Request.
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How do you read "reasonable opportunity and ability to unlock"

Is requesting Notarized Signature of Transfer Request then Refuse to accept it reasonable? To me, and to most, it is not. But it is what is going on in the last 3 yrs. Totalnic can always say "It is perferctly reasonable as we are pretecting you from another case of sex.com"... BS And you can not do anything to them in the last 3 yrs.

I think ICANN still does not provide any inforceable methods, such as By default, it must be unlock, unless it is requested lock. Email is 100% enough. No paper or mail is required etc... But I don't see any of them. And there is no fine for Totalnic for doing this. If ICANN can say, they can strip their rights or fine $1000 per insitance.

[4solutions]

I can understand your frustration as several of my domains were held hostage by DomainsNext for years, too.

I guess we will see if transfers are any easier in November when these new rules go into effect.

In the meantime, I suggest you keep complaining to ICANN and the registry for whatever domain name that they refuse to unlock. Verisign is the registry for .com & .net names. Sometimes the squeaky wheel does get the grease.

[taheri6]

Locks are not illegal, and every registrar does them and has them. The only difference is most of them will take them off if you ask, or give you the option of adding and removing them as you see fit.

[dmaven]

Most legit registrar provide a facility to lock/unlock names. I would be concerned if you have to write them to remove a lock

[Bashar]

so many people got their domains transfer out after rasing things to court.

also snapnames customers can email totalnic and tell them i'm snapname customer please unlock my domain and they will unlock it.

an email from snapnames to one of my customers has this info:

Dear SnapNames Customer:

Thank you for contacting SnapNames.com!

To unlock your domain name email icann@TotalNIC.net and provide your account ID
and the domain name. It will then be unlocked for 10 days.
Identify yourself as SnapNames customer. If you try to do it for non-SnapNames names your request will be rejected.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know.

[Dave Zan]

Originally posted by dmaven
Most legit registrar provide a facility to lock/unlock names. I would be concerned if you have to write them to remove a lock

Actually, they'll most likely let you do it by allowing you
access.

That means if you're unable to recall your username &
pw & can't authenticate w/ other means, you may have
to send a fax and all.

Bottom line: they'll ask you to log inside your account
& walk you through it. No registrar in their right mind
will make domain modifications just because a customer
"said" so unless they're able to authenticate you.

[taheri6]

"In their right mind" is the key there aint it

[Dave Zan]

Originally posted by HostCheap.us.com
"In their right mind" is the key there aint it

Wait a minute...what mind?

Kidding aside, though, those new transfer rules from
ICANN affects not just the registrars or resellers, but
virtually EVERY domain name owner.

Whether it's positive or negative depends on what
happens to your domain name, especially if something
(I hate to even mention it lest it might happen!)...
unpleasant happens....(knock on wood

[qllonceagain]

Could anyone tell me how on earch some domain is hijacked? Since only the email holder of the domain contact or billing will be able to authorize a transfer. I don't understand why the TotalNic thinks there is a terrorist (a domain theft is considered terrorist in domain world) in every transaction of domain unlocking and tranfer. Is the threat so great that they have to require notorized copies of photo ID and written statement?

I think it is 100% pure excuse.

[Dave Zan]

Originally posted by qllonceagain
Could anyone tell me how on earch some domain is hijacked? Since only the email holder of the domain contact or billing will be able to authorize a transfer. I don't understand why the TotalNic thinks there is a terrorist (a domain theft is considered terrorist in domain world) in every transaction of domain unlocking and tranfer. Is the threat so great that they have to require notorized copies of photo ID and written statement?

I think it is 100% pure excuse.

It's not that Totalnic thinks there's a terrorist or what
not (though I can't speak for them, obviously). You'd be
surprised how many of this are reported to their
respective registrar or reseller every other day.

A domain hijacking occurs, of course, because some1
has discovered a flaw somewhere along the way and
exploited it. It could range from gaining access to the
admin email on record & using it to retrieve the user
ID and/or password to sending a fake fax requesting
access.

Unfortunately it only takes at least 2 people to
dispute ownership of a domain name. If a man calls
the registrar requesting access, saying he's the owner,
and a woman calls the same registrar asking the
same thing, claiming ownership of the same domain,
who do you think is the registrar supposed to believe?

There are, of course, ways to authenticate. Since in
reality there's no way to tell who's the real owner,
the registrar will be forced to use the domain's current
WHOIS records in an attempt to authenticate the
person/s calling.

However, if the contact records aren't updated, then
the fax will be the last resort...unless the registrar
has other alternatives.

Also, they've learned from the mistakes NetSol made
and wish to avoid them as much as possible. Who
doesn't?

It's easy to say what they're doing or asking for is
BS if your domain name hasn't been hijacked or
worse. But if it does, that's probably when you'll
begin to appreciate the measures they take.

While the fax, ID & all are inconvenient, the people
running the registrars CANNOT afford to take chances
w/ people claiming this or that. Disregarding those
safety measures can create headaches the ordinary
consumer can't even begin to imagine what the
people running those registrars go thru.

And believe me, those are headaches absolutely NO
ONE wants to have.