DNSO Archives: [registrars]

1) The only way that "binding policies between registrars and registries" can be implemented is to amend registry and registrar agreements with each other and ICANN. How does the task force think this would happen?

2) In the Summary, 1)c) is terribly idealistic: "transfers become transactions predicated on trust and an assumed lack of malfeasance." When you consider the diversity among registrars and then add the thousands of resellers to the equation, there needs to be a balance between protection against fraud or mistakes and ease of process.

3) General Principle r) applies to EPP only and is really not a general principle but rather an explicit requirement. The TF should make it clear that this only applies to EPP-based Registries.

4) General Principle s) is not clear. What is meant by "the Losing Registrar MUST NOT employ transfer processes as a mechanism to secure payment for services from a Registrant." This seems to contradict 3)e)v) which allows a NACK of a transfer if payment has not been made for the previous period.

5) General Principle t) may need to be reworked in order to reflect that a Registrar should be allowed to have a LOCK service so long as the LOCK service allows the Registrant to UNLOCK the name as well.

General Provisions:

3)d)ii) - what is a "reasonable request by the Losing Registrar." That is way to subjective and must be explicitly defined in an objectively measurable way or the words "reasonable request" should be deleted. We believe that the Gaining Registrar should ALWAYS turn over the documentation upon ANY request rather than having it be a reasonable request. Having it be only upon a "reasonable" request is too subjective and will require someone to interpret whether the request is reasonable or not. Plus, the current contracts require the gaining registrar to turn this over upon ANY request (whether or not reasonable).

3)f)iii) should probably be qualified further. Situations where a registrant has subscribed to a service with the registrar to LOCK a name to prevent unauthorized transfers and where the registrar has clear procedures for the registrant to remove that status should probably be allowed.

3)g) - same as the comment for 3)d)ii) above.

Gaining Registrar Processes Narrative:

5)b) - How would the accuracy of Whois data be verified after the fact? Whois data could have changed. This is especially problematic for the Non-EPP based registries.

5)k)ii) - It appears that the FOA is not required for electronic authorization. Is that intentional? It seems like the FOA should be required for all authorizations or that all email authorizations should be standardized to avoid confusion for users and ensure simplicity of the process.

Optional Losing Registrar Processes Narrative:

7)d) Probably should add "&/or Admin Contact" after Registrant in both places. Depending on the business model employed by registrars, it might not always be possible to notify the Registrant.

Resolution of Disputes:

8)b) - There are two references to "9.a.i." What is the correct reference? I don't think there is a "9.a.i" in the entire document.

8)c)iii) - Depending on what type of enforcement process is used, access to Whois and accuracy of Whois data are required for registrars, registries and the DRP. Some steps should be taken toward this objective (e.g., if Losing Registrar Whois is inaccessible or inaccurate, should a transfer be allowed? Otherwise, it would be an easy way to block transfers.

8)e)i)(1) - It seems to me that the DRP rules drafting committee should be primarily composed of registrars and registries instead of TF members. It is critical to have strong involvement of those who understand operational impacts.

8)e)iv) - I am not sure that the DRP should decide resolution. The DRP should only determine whether or not the policy has been violated. Resolution then would happen based on the agreed to policy.

8)e)vi) - How would fees be collected? It would create a collection problem for ICANN. Registrars paying registrars directly wouldn't work.

We can discuss these more tomorrow.

Jeffrey J. Neuman, Esq.
Director, Law & Policy
NeuStar, Inc.
Loudoun Tech Center
46000 Center Oak Plaza
Building X
Sterling, VA 20166
p: (571) 434-5772
f: (571) 434-5735
e-mail: Jeff.Neuman@Neustar.us

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[registrars]

[registrars] Official Comments from the Registry Constituency on Transfers Task Force