When it comes to transferring a domain name, it's important to understand the policies regarding transfers. ICANN is the organization for writing and enforcing the domain transfer policy for it's accredited Registrars.

Interestingly enough, I believe GoDaddy is in direct violation of the ICANN transfer policy and here is why.

On July 3rd of this year I logged into an older GoDaddy account where a .biz domain name resides that is comming due for renewal. It happens to be my last domain in this GoDaddy account so I decided to transfer it out. So, I requested my transfer authorization code which was emailed to me and then proceeded to make sure my contact data was still correct. I noticed it was showing my old address so like anyone else, I proceeded to update the address only because all the other information was correct. I updated 'ALL' the contacts when offered that selection.

 

Once everything was in order, I went to Name.com to request a transfer out of GoDaddy and entered the authorization code and everything went through fine and dandy. Not long after they verified the whois contact information I was emailed an approval verification from Name.com and clicked on the link and agreed with the transfer.

Shortly after this, I received an email from GoDaddy and here is what it said:

The transfer of MYDOMAIN.BIZ from GoDaddy.com to another registrar could
not be completed for the following reason(s):

Express written objection to the transfer from the Transfer Contact.
(e.g. - email, fax, paper document or other processes by which the
Transfer Contact has expressly and voluntarily objected through opt-in
means).

The express written objection may be the result of a pending or
recently completed Change of Registered Name Holder. This is an opt-in process
during which the new Registered Name Holder agrees not to transfer for
60-days. This domain will be transferrable on 9/3/2007.

If you believe that this domain name does not fit the situation
described above, go to
http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/support.asp?prog_bla bla
for assistance.

GoDaddy was telling me that they are denying my transfer. When I called GoDaddy support, I was told that I updated my registrant data so the 60 day 'transfer prohibited' policy (set up by ICANN) was reset so I'd have to wait another 60 days. I explained to the politely that the 60 day transfer prohibit policy applies to newly registered domain names or newly transferred in domain names from registrar to registrar. Neither of this applied in my case because the domain hadn't been touched in almost a year. So, just to make sure I was correct, I looked it up and here is what I found on both the FAQ section and the ICANN transfer policy .

My registrar is refusing to transfer my name. What do I do?

A registrar may legitimately deny a transfer request in certain limited circumstances, as follows:

• Evidence of fraud
• Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) action
• Court order
• Reasonable dispute over the identity of the person authorizing the transfer
• Domain name is on hold due to payment owed for a previous registration period
• Express written objection from the domain name holder
• Domain name is in Lock status (Registrars must provide a readily accessible and reasonable means for name holders to remove the lock status. Contact your registrar for assistance.)
• Domain name is within 60 days of initial registration
• Domain name is within 60 days of a previous transfer

Registrars are required to specify a reason when denying a transfer request. Contact either the current registrar or the registrar you wish to transfer to for assistance.

I called GoDaddy back and they didn't seem to understand this policy so I stayed on hold while the manager of the transfer department, "John" looked for the policy.  When he got back on the phone he pointed to the GoDaddy Domain Name Change of Registrant Agreement and directed me to this paragagraph under GoDaddy's Role:

The domain name may not be transferred to another registrar within 60 days of the completion of the change of Registrant transaction (the "Transfer Prohibition Period"). In the event the domain name is subject to another change of Registrant within the Transfer Prohibition Period, the 60 day Transfer Prohibition Period will begin again upon completion of the subsequent change of Registrant transaction.

"Registrant transaction"... What's that supposed to mean?  John told me that this means I can change any of my contact information except for the registrant information and nothing will happen.  However, since I selected the 'change all' option to update my mailing address, the 60 day 'Transfer Prohibited' is reset.  Needless to say, I didn't understand this at all because ICANN has made it very clear what this 60 hold is for and GoDaddy doesn't write the ICANN policy and they also have no right to deny a transfer of a domain name because someone updates their information.   There was no transaction and my domain has been on GoDaddy for at least a year so I fail to understand this GoDaddy transfer policy that they've written.

GoDaddy is big enough to make their own transfer policy... ICANN?

I explained to John my contention with this and he said there is nothing he can do because that is the policy that GoDaddy wrote that was approved by ICANN.  While ICANN policy is in black and white.  Maybe ICANN didn't realize that updating a registrant contact information in GoDaddy terms is a Registrant transaction.  Truthfully, I'm not sure if GoDaddy understands it either.  Where I come from, a transaction is an item or service in exchange for a fee... like a transfer of a domain name from one registrar to another or the purchase of a domain name.

Needless to say, GoDaddy is refusing to allow me to transfer my domain name out of their control and forcing me to renew with them.  The've also claimed that when I renew a my domain, that also resets the 60 day transfer prohibited policy under ICANN.  Here it is again:

• Domain name is within 60 days of initial registration
• Domain name is within 60 days of a previous transfer

Now, I could be wrong but GoDaddy is the only registrar I've encountered this with and I couldn't find anywhere in the ICANN site that states if I update my registrant data, my registrar has the right to refuse transfer of my domain name.  Isn't this an example of the wild west of poorly written policy?

I believe this is just another shady tactic that GoDaddy plays with their customers to force renewals with them.

What do you all think of this policy??? ..  and is there something that I have looked past?