Re: [registrars] Registrars Collecting on Multi-Year Registrations

[Mike Lampson <lampson@iaregistry.com>]

All,

This is a very interesting dialog.  I'm glad I started it.  :^}

Personally, I agree with many of the points that some things need to be
changed.  And the points regarding the handling of transfers, autorenewals
and cases of fraud absolutely should be addressed with VeriSign and ICANN
and the necessary changes should be made to the appropriate contracts and
agreements.

However going back to the original point that VeriSign is saying in their
Registry Advisory that we are required to submit the domain
registration/renewal for the same term submitted by the user (i.e. the same
term shown in the Registrar's Whois), I have discussed this with VeriSign
and they have referred me to the following:

http://www.icann.org/tlds/agreements/verisign/registry-agmt-appf-com-16apr01
.htm

Specifically section 2.4 which addresses the data submission requirements
and item 2.4.5 which says the "expiration date of the registration".
VeriSign's interpretation is that item 2.4.5 covers the fact that the
expiration date is implied in the fact we send a registration/renewal term
as part of the command.

Now I am not a lawyer and I'm not going to say that their interpretation is
correct.  I'm just throwing this out there for further discussion and to
make sure everyone knows what VeriSign and ICANN seem to expect of us at
Registrars.

Regards,

Mike Lampson
The Registry at Info Avenue, LLC



----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Hall" <rob@momentous.com>
To: <registrars@dnso.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 2:26 PM
Subject: RE: [registrars] Registrars Collecting on Multi-Year Registrations


This is a valid business model for many reasons.

It is not against our Registry contract, and should not be until the
registry model changes.

Rob.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-registrars@dnso.org [mailto:owner-registrars@dnso.org]On
Behalf Of Mike Lampson
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 1:17 PM
To: registrars@dnso.org
Subject: [registrars] Registrars Collecting on Multi-Year Registrations


All,

This is a terrible business practice as documented by VeriSign.  Prohibition
against such practices needs to be in our Code of Conduct.

Regards,

Mike Lampson
The Registry at Info Avenue, LLC



----- Original Message -----
From: "VeriSign Global Registry Services"
To: VeriSign Registrars
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:42 PM
Subject: Registry Advisory: Multi-Year Registrations


To All Registrars:

As you know, running effective renewal campaigns depends upon keeping
accurate customer data, including contact information for reaching them by
e-mail, direct mail, or phone. Equally important is ensuring expiration
dates between VeriSign Registry and registrar are consistent.

The sale of a multi-year registration that is registered with VeriSign
Registry for only one year will create a discrepancy in the expiration date,
meaning you have to manage separate expiration dates for registrations,
adding cycles to your renewal efforts and increasing the chance that a
registration may be inadvertently deleted.  Additionally, registrants who
have paid for a multi-year registration but later become aware that they
only received a one-year registration may question the registrar's right to
engage in such a transaction. Indeed, processing multi-year registrations as
one-year registrations will create a liability on the part of the registrar
should the registrant choose to transfer its registration to another
registrar.  The transfer process causes the discrepancy to surface because
the full registration term purchased by the registrant will not carry
forward to the new registrar. All registrars are required to process all
domain name registrations and renewals through VeriSign Registry with the
same term length as was agreed to by the registrant.

All registrars should periodically crosscheck their data with VeriSign
Registry data available in the weekly Domain Name reports.  Our Customer
Service Representatives are always available to assist you with any
questions you have on discrepancies between your registration data and
expiration dates with VeriSign Registry. If you have any questions regarding
this Registry Advisory, please contact Customer Service

Chris Sheridan
Manager, Customer Service
VeriSign Global Registry Services
www.verisign-grs.com