Re: [registrars] VeriSign Registrar Transfer Process - An Update

[Jeff Shrewsbury Info Avenue Internet Services <iamarketing@infoave.net>]

Bruce:

I know I am not alone in asking this, but where is the proof of this
so-called "...large volume of unauthorized registrar transfers that
we have discovered."  When are we going to see evidence other
than Verisign's pious indignation to questions?

It's amusing to me that Verisign continues to make these kinds of
statements when everyone on this list knows the only thing that Verisign
"discovered" is that it can cling to a few more registrations
while it tries to flatten competition by making it incredibly difficult
(and costly) to change sponsorship. 

According the agreements we all signed, including NSI/Verisign, by
submitting the request for transfer, the gaining registrar is ALREADY
confirming that proper authority was secured for the transfer. By
suddenly changing its automated process to throw another layer of
bureaucracy on top of a process already confusing to the average user,
not only is Verisign blatantly trying to gum up the works and cost small
and medium-size registrars time, effort and money, it is also in essence
declaring that accreditation means nothing and everyone is trying to
swindle the end user.

It's ICANN and its compliance officers' jobs to police who is following
the agreements, not Verisign's. If a registrar was indeed
"slamming," as you put it, why not ask for the proof of
authorization that all registrars are required to keep instead of
pre-emptively AUTO-NAKing and assuming a high-moral posture?

Where's the proof of this massive amount of "unathorized"
transfers? Holders taking their business elsewhere in droves is not proof
of "slamming."  It's proof that the system is working, and
this little rhetorical exercise is just Verisign's way of trying to hold
on a little bit longer.

Sincerely,
Jeff Shrewsbury
The Registry at Info Avenue




At 01:09 PM 7/20/01 -0400, Beckwith Bruce wrote:

Due to a change in my email address, this was not posted to the list
yesterday.  Here is a re-post.

-----Original Message-----
From: Beckwith, Bruce [mailto:bbeckwith@verisign.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 5:41 PM
To: 'registrars@dnso.org'
Cc: 'lynn@icann.org'; 'touton@icann.org'; 'ajm@icann.org';
'halloran@icann.org'; 'erica.roberts@bigpond.com';
'kstubbs@digitel.net'; 'Paul.Kane@Uwhois.net'; 'michael@palage.com'
Subject: VeriSign Registrar Transfer Process - An Update
Importance: High



Dear Registrar Constituency Members:

As you may know, the VeriSign Registrar has grown increasingly concerned
about the large volume of unauthorized registrar transfers that we have
discovered.

With this in mind, and working within the rules defined by ICANN, we have
instituted an automated set of processes that we believe firmly safeguards
consumers by requesting that the administrative contact verify that the
transfer is genuine.  This has been referred to inaccurately as the "NSI
Auto-NAK Process," it is more accurately defined as an effort to ensure that
customers are not being "slammed."

The VeriSign Registrar has requested that ICANN help in defining
registrar-wide procedures that can help protect customers - please see the
letter written to Stuart Lynn from Roger Cochetti regarding transfers at
http://www.icann.org/correspondence/cochetti-to-lynn-16jul01.htm
<http://www.icann.org/correspondence/cochetti-to-lynn-16jul01.htm> .

The VeriSign Registrar is pleased to take the initiative to put forth a
"Registrar to Registrar Transfer Agreement" to the Registrar Constituency
community.  This agreement establishes a system that protects bona fide
transfers and minimizes slamming.  The VeriSign Registrar is prepared to
enter into this agreement with any ICANN accredited registrar, and encourage
other registrars to do the same with one-another.

I have attached the agreement to this email, both as a PDF and as ASCII text
at the bottom.  Please contact me directly if you are interested in moving
forward in entering this agreement with the VeriSign Registrar or have any
questions.

Regards,

Bruce Beckwith
VeriSign Registrar (formerly Network Solutions Registrar)
bbeckwith@verisign.com <mailto:bbeckwith@verisign.com>
(703) 742-4817

 <<Registrar to Registrar Transfer Agreement 0629.pdf>>


ASCII Text of Contract (see PDF version for better formatting)

Registrar to Registrar Transfer Agreement


This Registrar to Registrar Agreement (the "Agreement"), by and between
___________ _________________ Registrar and _________________________
Registrar, becomes effective on the date signed by the final party
("Effective Date").
        A.      Whereas, pursuant to [Section 2.10 of the Registrar License
and Agreement] [Section 2.9 of the Registry-Registrar Agreement], entitled
Transfer of Sponsorship of Registrations, _________________________
Registrar hereby agrees to implement transfers of SLD registrations from
_____________________ Registrar and vice versa, pursuant to the Policy
appended thereto as Exhibit B;
        B.      Whereas, under that Policy, the gaining Registrar shall
obtain express authorization from the individual (as reflected in the WhoIs
database of the losing Registrar) who has authority to bind the SLD holder;
        C.      Whereas, the gaining Registrar is required under the Policy
to retain reliable evidence of that express authorization; and
        D.      Whereas, the losing Registrar will be provided a copy of
that express authorization when requested;
Now, therefore, to expedite the transfer process, the parties agree as
follows:
        1.      By agreeing to the reciprocal conditions herein, each
Registrar agrees to automatic acknowledgement of all transfer requests from
the other Registrar.
        2.      The agreed upon forms of express authorization between the
parties are attached hereto as Attachments A.
        3.      The gaining Registrar must produce a completed Attachment A
electronically or by facsimile within five (5) days of request by the losing
Registrar, authenticated by a Notary Public or equivalent identity
authentication (Attachment B hereto) acceptable to the losing Registrar.
        4.      If the gaining Registrar fails to produce a completed
Attachment A within the five-day period, the gaining Registrar agrees to
automatically acknowledge the retransfer request by the losing Registrar of
the affected domain name registration.
        5.      In those instances where the Registrar of record is being
changed simultaneously with a change of SLD holder or subsequent to that
change, and the provisions of Paragraph 4 are being invoked, the gaining
Registrar agrees to the retransfer without requiring any indemnification or
other action from the losing Registrar.
        6.      Failure to comply with any paragraph of this Agreement is
considered a material breach and results in the immediate rescission of this
Agreement and the cessation of automatic acknowledgement of transfer
requests.

Registrar:                      Registrar:              
Officer:                        Officer:                
Date:                   Date:           
Attachment A


Transfer  Authorization

        Domain Name:            
        "WhoIs" Registrant:*            
        email of Registrant(if any):            
        "WhoIs" Admin Contact:          
        email of Admin Contact(if any):         

                

I hereby authorize, and have the express authority to authorize, the
transfer of the above-identified domain name registration.

                
        Signature

                
        Print Name

                
        Notary Public / Equivalent Identity Authentication

                
        Date

* A copy of the current WhoIs for the domain name registration is attached.


End of ASCII Text of Contract (see PDF version for better formatting)