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

["Tom Chaffin" <tchaffin@stargateinc.com>]

Why do I get the feeling that Verisign Registrar and Register.com are slowly
taking over control of ICANN and Verisign GRS.

I do not feel we should be subjected to their rules or regulations.  If that
is the case, aren't all registrars in the same position to impose their
policies on register.com and Verisign Registrar.

Stargate signed a contract with ICANN and Verisign GRS, not with
Register.com or Verisign Registrar.  Stargate follows those contractual
obligations to the letter, including transfers.

Per Bruce:

"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.""

I would not consider "NSI Auto-NAK Process" inaccurate.  99% of my customer
complaints deal with the auto-nacks from Verisign registrar and
register.com.  They consume our day.  What is more frustrating to the
customer is that they have paid for the domain for one full year, yet
Verisign Registrar cuts that year short by 30-45 days.  The consumer does
not understand why.  They paid for a full year, yet they do not have the
privilege of transferring the domain during that full year term.  The irony
of this is all is that this "solution" is nothing more than a solution for
NSI and Register.com.  They have claimed that the reason for the Auto-NAK is
for the customers' protection, and yet the only protection being offered is
to these two registrars.  This does nothing more than continue to monopolize
the industry and retain customers that no longer wish
to be their customers.  It is the gaining registrar's responsibility to
initiate the transfer, and yet NSI and Register.com are questioning this
authorization that has already been obtained?  This type of practice is and
will continue to weaken the industry.

Regards,
_________________________________
Tom Chaffin
Stargate Communications, Inc.
Director of Internet Services
630.572.2242 - voice
630.572.7342 - fax
tchaffin@stargateinc.com
http://www.stargateinc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-registrars@dnso.org [mailto:owner-registrars@dnso.org]On
Behalf Of Beckwith, Bruce
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 12:09 PM
To: 'registrars@dnso.org'
Subject: [registrars] VeriSign Registrar Transfer Process - An Update
Importance: High


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)