ICANN provides the following update:

• As is already known on 21 February 2007, ICANN issued a letter to RegisterFly [PDF, 101K] indicating a Notice of Breach of its Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) and demanding that RegisterFly act within 15 working days to cure the breaches outlined in the letter.

• Also on 21 February, ICANN sent a Notice of Audit [PDF, 60K] that required RegisterFly to allow ICANN to inspect and copy records as well as a notice to submit data to ICANN or a reputable escrow agent regarding registration applications and Registered name holders.

• On 27 February 2007, ICANN sent two employees to RegisterFly offices in New Jersey to audit them and obtain the registrant information.

• RegisterFly has not complied. On 1 March 2007 RegisterFly's lawyers forwarded a letter [PDF, 12K] to ICANN advising that refusal to comply with ICANN's request "should not be construed as my client's unwillingness to cooperate with ICANN but as evidence of their continuing efforts to service their customers."

• In response ICANN has issued a second letter [PDF, 288K] dated 2 March 2007 setting out additional breaches of the Registrar Agreement. In that letter ICANN describes RegisterFly's statement that refusal to comply is evidence of customer service as "preposterous."

• RegisterFly's continuing breaches of the RAA are serious and will be pursued.

• ICANN's primary concern is to do what it can to protect registrant and related data.

• ICANN has provided notice that it will file a suit against RegisterFly in the United States District Court for the Central District of California seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) requiring RegisterFly to turn over the data requested and to compel an emergency audit of its books and records.

• In addition to this legal action, ICANN today convened a telephone conference among those needed to implement a plan that will help cease unintended deletions. The participants were registries holding RegisterFly names: Afilias (.info), Newstar (.biz), VeriSign (.com, .net), RegisterFly backend services provider Tucows and eNom (for which RegisterFly was a reseller) as well as representatives of RegisterFly.

• The Registries involved have agreed to move any RegisterFly names in Redemption Grace Period* status into Server-Delete-Prohibited status. This will prevent them from being deleted from the registry and becoming available for re-registration by others. ICANN commends and encourages this example of cooperation to protect registrant data.

ICANN will provide further updates as new information is available and action taken.

Media Contacts:

Paul Levins
Executive Officer and Vice President
Corporate Affairs
ICANN
Ph: +1 310 301 5804
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

International
Andrew Robertson, Edelman ( London)
Ph: +44 7921 588 770
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* (Registration Grace Period is a period that allows the domain-name registrant, registrar, or registry operator time to detect and correct any mistaken deletions. During the grace period, the deleted name will be placed on REGISTRY-HOLD, which will prevent the name from functioning/resolving. This tends to call attention to the impending deletion).

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dsmj - RGP = Bad Registered | 2007-03-02 21:55:29 Do what you can to avoid RGP. It will take your site offline and cost you from 50 to 200 bucks ( enom = 160 ) to get it back. Pretty serious punishment for a problem Registerfly Caused. Let us hope and pray that one registrar will step up and provide a low Redemption cost.

ProDevStudio Registered | 2007-03-03 04:24:27 In my opinion registrar should only charge us to pay for the registration of the RGP duration and also either renew/transfer to another registrar. End of the day it is not our fault that these domains did not get renewed. We paid RegisterFly and they did not pay the registrars.

submarinefleet Registered | 2007-03-03 12:14:47 I mentioned this in another thread. Someone said "well it's not eNoms fault, so you should have to pay them the full 160 bucks." Which I did, but it seems like a screwed up way to make money off of people that are already in a tight spot due to the problems between eNom and RFly.

Marion - Simple Fact Is Registered | 2007-03-02 21:57:22 The Simple Fact is that if what has happened to domain name holders because of Registerfly is somehow made into a "criminal offense" then, there are a number of resellers and registrars that will instantly become criminals - head of the list, Verio and Melbourne IT. The only thing different about this Registerfly Episode is that there are a lot more victims and a lot more victims have been very vocal. I complained to ICANN about VErio changing whois data and sezing domain names back in 2004. ICANN did nothing. ICANN had to know back in 2004 that what is happening now at Registerfly to domain name holders was happening all along to domain name holders. The "light at the end of the tunnel" in this Registerfly Scandal is that maybe the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security will finally go after Verio and Melbourne IT. Verio and Melbourne IT's threat to American Businesses and to America's National Security is 1000 times greater than anything Registerfly can do.

kimvette Editor | 2007-03-03 12:43:15 I don't know why the hell your post was voted down. I voted it up because it is extremely informative and important for all of us to know. This site (Registerflies) is going to help bring change to the industry across the board. I ask all of you who came here for information on salvaging your domains to continue to visit your site even after you get the RegisterFly mess straightened out; this is very likely only the beginning for this site.

Marion - Registry Help Registered | 2007-03-02 22:06:55 BTW, if the Registry Managers really wanted to be helpful, they could have agreed to provide authorization codes to the admin contacts on Registerfly domain names that are returning the "domain not found" error (so that we can transfer the domain names out of Registerfly). The Registry Manager for .org domain names, PIR, has already been helpful in this regard.

woad - Go Daddy has special pricing.. Registered | 2007-03-02 22:25:18 Go Daddy is offing special pricing for Registerfly customers...I just transfered my 8 domains over...cost me about 63 USD. I am currently unable to access my registerfly account at all. This happened about 9pm ish CST on Friday, 2 Feb 2007. I was able to access it prior to that time. I didn't even know anything was going on. I tried registering a couple of domains today which is how I found out all of this was going on. What a mess...so much for having an enjoyable Friday night grrrrr..... Eric Owner/Developer Three Ravens Consulting http://www.threeravensconsulting.com Eric

MNLNI - Fix our problems first, you ca Registered | 2007-03-02 22:33:04 I have 15 domains and everyday i am sending 4 mails to get for auth codes from past 10 days and no one responds.The who is changed to Registerfly and support@registerfly.com I called number of times and always engaged or systems down but no one look into this ICANN had a lot of love with RLY guys and still giving them time ICANN--Fix our problems first, you can dance with RFLY next

aac0411 - Try GODADDY Registered | 2007-03-03 15:57:43 If you still are having issues with register fly, Call GoDaddy.com. They are moving my 7 domains from RegisterFly to them. They have been in contact with ICANN about the issue and are able to move the domains for you. Not sure if other registrars are doing this bit give GoDaddy a buzz, they can help! Took me awhile to find someone to help and they did.

captainproton - Bottom line Registered | 2007-03-02 22:38:25 ICANN gets control of this situation or the FTC gets involved and replaces ICANN with something else. Which would not necessarily be a good thing.

Kyanar Registered | 2007-03-06 20:50:49 Well actually, the FTC cannot replace ICANN. Even the US government cannot. The reasoning behind this is that ICANN is an international entity, who the US government can NOT be seen to have any influence over (the UN would have a hissy fit). Essentially, ICANN is run like a company. It pays its taxes, and the US government butts out (in theory).

dclarktcco Registered | 2007-03-02 23:57:20 Why fight ICANN?...because Medina has this data! Jeremy, Registerfly employee in Fla, got me my Auth Codes...and frankly, when I dropped that news to a unnammed person in NJ office, that person was dumbfounded by this news...So do not believe all you read...believe the refusal to supply this info... The reason any of us was successful in getting codes was due to peeps in FLA, ironically. Screwing the Jersey boys out of their customers. Nice web site, like the addition of ads.

regme - Fight Icann Registered | 2007-03-03 04:01:09 Yes, I strongly encourage everybody to take any action. Doing something is better than doing nothing. http://fight-registerfly-fraud.bravehost.com/

Marion - The Verio Defense Registered | 2007-03-03 04:12:08 If The State of New Jersey or Federal Authorities try to claim that it was illegal for someone at Registerfly to change whois data and seize domain names, Registerfly can simply assert The Verio Defense, i.e., Registerfly can simply say that Verio and Melbourne It have been doing the same thing for years and no one pursued criminal charges against Verio and Melbourne It. http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20040430_informedia.htm see also "The Verio Threat To National Security at https://www.google.com/base/a/1063009/D13246689212795118937"

Samson - Conspiracy Theory Registered | 2007-03-03 11:03:05 This wild conspiracy theory of yours isn't lending much to your credibility here. It could be why nobody is paying any attention to you on it. You might try backing it up with rational evidence instead of wild Al Qaeda crap. And keep in mind, this comes from me, someone who does believe Al Qaeda represents a huge threat to all of us.

aac0411 - GoDaddy to help with RegisterF Registered | 2007-03-03 15:56:35 If you still are having issues with register fly, Call GoDaddy.com. They are moving my 7 domains from RegisterFly to them. They have been in contact with ICANN about the issue and are able to move the domains for you. Not sure if other registrars are doing this bit give GoDaddy a buzz, they can help! Took me awhile to find someone to help and they did.

Samson - GoDaddy Registered | 2007-03-03 16:54:01 I would only advise people to choose the GoDaddy option if they have no other means of transferring away. GoDaddy is no better off than RegisterFly. They steal domains too, just Google for the recent results of what happened to the owner of familyalbum.com. GoDaddy also shuts down domains without court orders on the unconfirmed words of other companies who call. Search Cnet.com for the recent flap over seclists.org and myspace.com. No, 52 seconds notice is not acceptable.

tann - re: Fix our problems first, yo Registered | 2007-03-03 17:00:09 MNLNI wrote: ...everyday i am sending 4 mails ... Don't you think that you just waste your time this way...? Imagine if they have as they claim 900 000 customers and everyone sends them at least one mail a day, do you think they are able to answer everybody? Few days ago all auth codes for domains registered through RF appeared. No codes with domains registered through enom as they are blocked. Are you sure your domains were registered through RF? === Oh com'on guys, can't hear those soap moanings about rescuing by godaddies or enoms or whoever. They do not want to solve someone`s problems. Instead of trying simply to check your problem, they pretend that they do not know about our troubles with RF and advice you "to go and to talk to your registrar"...! I also had hard time with gd before. When the question is about your paying money to them, they are kindness themselves. When you paid, they didn't even bother to answer. Chameleons!

tribolic - contact info update working Registered | 2007-03-03 18:47:00 I was reading the comment by "woad" above that he\she was unable to access his\her registerfly account at all. So I logged in to see what was up. As I always do, I tried updating the contact info of the remaining domains they are holding and voila, it actually updated and after refeshing, I could see and get the auth codes. I immediately reinitiated the transfer away at godaddy and I received the emails from godaddy to authenticate the transfer request. I would suggest that any one in need of getting their contact info updated, do it immediate ly while it is working.

sysadmin - eNom's $160 - that's bobo Registered | 2007-03-03 21:26:44 I think it's completely bogus that eNom tries to take another $160 from people who are already losing businesses, clients, livehoods - even sleep. Talk about kicking a man when he's down! They're the ones selling you water for $50 a gallon after the hurricane. I mean seriously, let's not forget that RegisterFly was one of THEIR resellers and they should not try to put you over a barrell just because RegisterFly's execs were living the lives of porstars with our renewal fees. Will eNom move your pre-split domains to them relatively easily? Yes. And that's a relief in itself. But don't pay $160 if RegisterFly botched your renewal. Email them proof that you renewed the domain with RegisterFly and I PROMISE you as witness, they have the discretion to lower that fee. If you happen to talk to the meathead who won't, call back. Otherwise, GoDaddy seems to have a pretty sweet deal AND they'll refund charges for any domains that fail to transfer! Good for you - bad for eNom!

kimvette Editor | 2007-03-04 10:28:01 Actually, you should go through the process of becoming an eNom seller - I followed those links and read through the agreement. Notice that the reseller is held responsible for those costs. Point that out for eNom, while thanking them for giving you your domain back without question. This whole thing is a damn scam from beginning to end: eNom has a reseller agreement to which their agents are supposed to adhere, and they are supposed to hold the RESELLER liable for cost of mistakes not the end customer. ICANN has bylaws regarding accreditation, where the registrar must resolve any complaints coming in to ICANN. ICANN collects a tidy sum for this accreditation process and for domain registrations. But in both cases, they couldn't give less of a (insert explitive here) HOW the registrants are collected - er, until the reseller or registrar falls into arrears. THEN they care, but only about recouping their fees. This is bullshit and by participating in this site you have all helped to bring RegisterFly down; the next target will be ICANN.

sysadmin - re: Registered | 2007-03-05 02:36:30 kimvette wrote: Actually, you should go through the process of becoming an eNom seller... Why on Earth should people become eNom resellers? They have multi-thousand dollar startup fees just to get the same price on domains that you could already get from Go Daddy, NameCheap, or some of the others recommended on this site. Their lowest (and newest) reseller plan has a $195 startup fee and that only gets your domains down to $9.99. In the absence of this fee, new renewals are $29.99!! But yes, eNom will help you with your pre-RF split domains and that's a HUGE help but in terms of reselling, there are better resller programs with other registrars listed on this site (namely GoDaddy and NameCheap).

classifieds - Blanch Evans is an Idiot Registered | 2007-03-03 22:29:15 Blanch is an idiot. Don't confuse this situation with blatherings from a dumb b%^$&. Quote: If The State of New Jersey or Federal Authorities try to claim that it was illegal for someone at Registerfly to change whois data and seize domain names, Registerfly can simply assert The Verio Defense, i.e., Registerfly can simply say that Verio and Melbourne It have been doing the same thing for years and no one pursued criminal charges against Verio and Melbourne It. http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20040430_informedia.htm see also "The Verio Threat To National Security at https://www.google.com/base/a/1063009/D13246689212795118937"

dsmj - Failure to Renew, again and ag Registered | 2007-03-03 23:02:05 We were unable to renew the following domains in your account: Order Number : 65550771 Domain Name : witnessconsultants.com Domain Id : 16241339 Registration Date: 2005-03-04 ================================================== ==== Number of names processed (1) Questions, comments - http://www.registerfly.com/support/index.php Home Page - registerfly.com

sjwitz - RE: dsmj Registered | 2007-03-04 13:21:59 See: http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois.ch?ip=witnessconsultants.com According to the above, there doesn't seem to be a lock on the domain...has anyone tried to transfer out a domain right on the expiry date? Is that possible? Of course, since this is a registerfly (not eNom) domain, the usual issues may still apply...

flytrap - The Register on RF, 3rd March Registered | 2007-03-04 02:58:15 Of ICANN and the Registerfly meltdown http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/03/icann_registerfly_domain/

estebanv - Unable to trasfer from Registe Registered | 2007-03-04 04:05:56 I already disabled ProtectFLY and unlocked the domains for PONTEREGGAETON.COM TODOANGELES.COM at Registerfly but the trasfer cannot proceed because the domain keepn on private registration and does not take the change. What can I do ? Please help me out I need to get all my domains out of Registerfly ASAP Please reply Esteban

bigfoot Registered | 2007-03-04 04:59:35 Have you tried using the support form here at registerflies. I tried with one domain and the domain name was able to have the whois info changed within registerfly afterwards.

umonster Registered | 2007-03-04 08:09:37 Well, I have been sending support requests for days through the form here, trying to get auth codes for 3 of my domains that show RRP instead of a proper codes, but I've gotten no response.

flytrap - The shape of things to come Registered | 2007-03-04 14:15:20 To: ****** Cc: Mike Zupke, ICANN Registrar Liaison Manager Paul Levins, ICANN Executive Officer and Vice President, Corporate Affairs Dear ******, I am ******.com's original registrant since 2000. Lately I had it registered with Registerfly.com. Due to the debacle happening to that registrar, (see www.registerflies.com for more info) they failed to renew my domain name even when I paid, my credit card was charged and a detailed invoice was sent to me 3 weeks in advance of its expiry date. I have all documents pertaining to this situation. I have been trying to correct this situation for more than two months, filing complaints, among others, with ICANN, New Jersey's BBB, FBI/IC3 and of course, Registerfly.com. Unfortunately, the time frame of ******.com expiry came before action from these agencies. Now I see with dismay that since yesterday, ******.com is registered with domaincamping.com LLC, and ****** appears as registrant. It seems that you are the Administrative contact for ****** and I'm sure you registered ******.com bona fide. You can easily understand that I have a legitimate claim to ******.com and I would be grateful to you if you let me know how this matter can be solved privately to the better interest of both parties. I'm ready to compensate your expenses should you agree to return this domain to me. Thanks for your attention and understanding. A quick response would be highly appreciated. Response from new registrant: I purchased this name through http://www.snapnames.com as the name was auctioned off yesterday March 3, 2007. I went to Google and read about the problems with http://www.registerflies.com. I paid $1226 US for the name and can send you proof of the price I paid. If you pay me the $1226 I will release the name to you. The transaction can be handled through http://www.certifiedofferservice.com which is owned by Networksolutions.com...the top Registrar in the US. As long As I do not lose any money I will transfer the name back to you. I hate that you did business with http://www.registerflies.com as it seems they caused a lot of people a lot of problems. I can email the proof of purchase for $1226 of the name if you want to proceed... My response: Dear ******, Thank you very much for your help and frankness. Sincerely, I cannot afford the sum you paid for the domain, and seeing your goodwill to return it to me for the price you paid, I have already decided not to litigate about it. I'm only sorry to see how the main culprits of this affair are still at large, while ICANN is washing their hands. Registerfly.com is still an ICANN accredited registrar and ICANN knew about Registerfly.com malpractice even before it was given its accreditation. Caveat emptor. Response from ICANN: Dear ******, I'm sorry to hear about your problem with Registerfly. ICANN has been working with the registry operators and through the courts to help ensure that registrants will not harmed by this registrar's actions going forward. Unfortunately, this may not be much help for you since it sounds as though your name was already re-registered. If you are trying to obtain the rights to a domain name that somebody else has registered, there are at least four alternatives: 1. Work out an agreement with the current registrant. 2. Wait and see if the current registrant lets it expire. 3. File a lawsuit in court against the current registrant. 4. For cases involving "abusive registrations" (this is a narrow category, so you should proceed with caution), begin an administrative proceeding under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy. For more details on this option, see . If you decide to file a complaint under the UDRP, you'll need to do so via one of ICANN's four approved domain-name dispute-resolution service providers: * Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre [ADNDRC] * The National Arbitration Forum [NAF] * World Intellectual Property Organization [WIPO] (Please note that the answer above applies only to domain names in .com, .net, .org, or other generic Top Level Domains operated under contract with ICANN such as .biz, .info or .name. Dispute resolution policies vary in other TLDs such as .gov, .edu, or .us and the 240+ other country code Top Level Domains. Please note also that ICANN generally recommends seeking legal advice before deciding which of the above alternatives is best in any particular situation.) In addition to the options set forth above, you may also wish to consider retaining legal counsel to determine what recourse you may have against Registerfly. I hope this information is helpful. Regards, Mike Zupke Registrar Liaison Manager Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers My response to ICANN Dear Mike Zupke, Now I have a problem with you: ICANN was aware of Registerfly.com malpractice even before it was accredited. I sent complaints to ICANN about my domain more than a month ago. Now it's too late for ICANN to help me?. But ICANN took its commissions on my domain's renewals and now ICANN cannot help me anymore. It's clear ICANN is not up to its mandate. I will therefore complain to the Federal Trade Commission. I hope you go on enjoying your meetings and conventions, but if there's a milligram of honesty left in your minds, you should resign your undeserved positions. Thanks for nothing.

Stanley Registered | 2007-03-04 13:56:00 Well, Once of my Enom/RF registered domains that I've been trying for weeks to get resolved via Enom is now a RF parking page. Enom is barely (if at all) better at customer service than RF. Enom tells me to take screenshots and fax them...I do. Then I get an email, previously replied to, asking (for the 3rd or 4th time) which domains are registered at Enom!

h8fly Registered | 2007-03-04 14:39:14 With that lame response from ICANN, what's going to happen now?

rashal313 - Frustrated Registered | 2007-03-04 16:27:09 Thank god. I know we will get hold of somebody. I lost about 15 premium domains and got charged on my credit card so many times. Luckily got chargeback from credit card but i'm very angry that I have lost about $10,000.00 worth of names.

rashal313 - Registerfly.com is total FRAUD Registered | 2007-03-04 16:32:13 Cant wait to take them to the court.!

RSC - Squaters will take your domain Registered | 2007-03-04 18:53:49 I posted my complaints all over the web and what did it get me? Someone bought my domain as soon as RFLY killed it, and now they are tring to sell it back to me. Are they sitting on RFLY just waiting? Or did they see my domain name in one of my postings. Bottom line; I would not put your domain name in any of your postings. I just bought a .net and lost the .com, that's fine with me. RSC www.schmooseme.net

skyecom - re: eNom's $160 - that's bob Registered | 2007-03-04 19:54:09 sysadmin wrote: I think it's completely bogus that eNom tries to take another $160 from people who are already losing businesses, clients, livehoods - even sleep. Talk about kicking a man when he's down! They're the ones selling you water for $50 a gallon after the hurricane. I mean seriously, let's not forget that RegisterFly was one of THEIR resellers and they should not try to put you over a barrell just because RegisterFly's execs were living the lives of porstars with our renewal fees. Will eNom move your pre-split domains to them relatively easily? Yes. And that's a relief in itself. But don't pay $160 if RegisterFly botched your renewal. Email them proof that you renewed the domain with RegisterFly and I PROMISE you as witness, they have the discretion to lower that fee. If you happen to talk to the meathead who won't, call back. Otherwise, GoDaddy seems to have a pretty sweet deal AND they'll refund charges for any domains that fail to transfer! Good for you - bad for eNom! enom made things right for me. I provided the details of what happened and they resorted my domains that where in redemption period. Just glad to have my domains out from regfly!!

h8fly Registered | 2007-03-04 22:36:42 ICANN should work together with Verisign in giving back our auth codes. After all, they profited from us already. Are they waiting to bleed us some more?

totodidrintintin - Is the 5th really a deadline? Registered | 2007-03-05 08:27:44 Been hearing this thing about the 5th (today) being a deadline for getting our domains out of RF. Is this bogus or have some smattering of truth? Appreciate any help or comments. What this meltdown shows is there is no protection for consumers and no agency really cares if they lose money and possibly their company. It has exposed ICANN to be absolutely worthless when it comes to protecting and serving domain owners. They acted far too late and only to recover their fees.

ultra - re: RF vs eNom vs ICANN Registered | 2007-03-05 09:36:34 sjwitz wrote: Of course, since this is a registerfly (not eNom) domain, the usual issues may still apply... Indeed - the situation is very much split, in my view, into two parts... people with domains showing eNom people with domains showing RegisterFly What I'd most like from ICANN is some force for eNom to make available the Auth Codes for display by RegisterFly users, because with Whois only showing RF as registrant / admin etc, customers cannot get the info they need to start a transfer. Of course, it would all work out easier if ICANN could get the data out of RF, so there's a verified list of domains and who was the registrant, rather than having protectfly.com or similar mail addresses shown to eNom and the rest of the world via WHOIS.

ultra - re: eNom or RF 'parking' Registered | 2007-03-05 09:48:39 Stanley wrote: Once of my Enom/RF registered domains that I've been trying for weeks to get resolved via Enom is now a RF parking page. RF page, or using name-services.com for Name Servers? If the latter, then I think it is an Enom parking page. What most annoys me is they lock the domain for 12 months, but don't put their own details as 'registrant' which makes it look like I am showing the ad page. Sorry to read of your frustration with eNom CS - I have a pile of domains in limbo mostly mine but a few were registered for clients. Hope ICANN gets things moving this week so we finally can get domains without penalty fees to pay (20-40 domains affected, and counting...) I am happy to pay a reasonable renewal, but nothing over the top!

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