I appologize for having to be the bearer of bad news but I'd just received word back from the court hearing today in Newark New Jersey and the Judge gave the company back to Kevin Medina.  Yes, you heard that correctly... Kevin Medina will soon be in full control of your names once again.

BAD NEWS

The bad news in all this is that a judge who understands nothing about the internet or domain property, today issued a decision to leave Kevin as CEO of Registerfly.  What does this mean?  Well, means you'd better get out of registerfly and get out fast.

Rumor has it that Kevin Medina does business and accepts credit cards through Humboldt credit card services and has a charge-back rate of over  55% so they are in the process of shutting Kevin's credit card services and we're waiting to hear what the ICANN response will be.  The news is out... Registerfly.com is officially done!  Registerfly.net is a phishing site. 

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kimvette Administrator | 2007-03-08 14:51:38 Holy crap. I am getting my domains OUT.

SyncMaster - Unbelievable! Registered | 2007-03-08 14:53:52 I cant believe this!!!! Was the judge on drugs at the time or is he just plain stupid? Or is he just some old fart with one foot in the grave who is out of touch with reality and the real world?

Samson - Predictable Registered | 2007-03-08 14:56:27 Can't say I'm surprised in the lest. Kevin's name was the only one on the incorporation papers and other data. I've been telling people everywhere I know to get the hell out now for over a month. Now maybe people will see why it's a serious mistake to sit and wait to see what might happen instead of taking swift and immediate action. And both the .com and .net domains were under Unified Names the whole time so I fail to see why anyone bothered to make a distinction. They're *BOTH* the same site, therefor if one is a phishing scam, they both are.

sjwitz Registered | 2007-03-08 14:59:23 So, I assume, then, that an emergency appeal has been ruled out? The 15-day ICANN demand expires next week, doesn't it...? If R'Fly's not done, this is really cutting it close. --SJR

zgarner Registered | 2007-03-08 15:04:16 Transcripts? Were the allegations founded or unfounded. It's hard to know, as an outsider (customer), what might have started this pissing contest or who is lying and who is not. The earlier response from John Naruszewicz seemed to make no *immediate* material difference (my domains are still lost, not updates on support tickets and customer service still claims systems are unavailable). Both parties appear to be claiming the other is lying. I'd really like to know what transpired in court. Was Kevin ousted with or without cause. Has he gained control again because of a legal technicality (he claimed John wasn't in control of the shares) or was there compelling evidence showing the allegations were false?

domaincroc.com - ICANN - TIME TO END THIS! Registered | 2007-03-08 15:09:24 [size=medium]ICANN It is time to put a stop to this incredible madness. The reputation of your organization is on the line. This will have long reaching ramifications for everyone involved. DomainCroc[/size]

Samson - The law Registered | 2007-03-08 15:14:37 ICANN has to follow the law here. The 15 day notice is required by contract. If they fail to honor that, then whoever is in control of RegisterFly would have legal cause to stop ICANN cold. So unfortunately people just need to wait for this to play out in a few days. Regardless, get out. Get Out. GET OUT OUT OUT! Can't stress that enough!

sam_okba - Who's Responsible?? Registered | 2007-03-08 15:31:04 Who is responsible if I lose my domains, I can't transfer them and tech support don't answer tickets. I'm stuck. What's the answer??

Samson - The Fly Registered | 2007-03-08 15:42:00 RegisterFly is responsible. That much should be obvious. ICANN didn't delete your support tickets. They don't leave you on hold all day. They don't change the whois data to Glenn Stansbury's information and then give it to a cybersquatter for pennies. And they aren't the ones operating a glorified phishing scam site now. If you've been paying any attention to what ICANN has actually said, you should realize by now that they've got the situation under control. PIR has agreed to suspend all of the deletions for .org domains, and they're trying to get something worked out with Verisign to protect the .com and .net domains. You can't just expect ICANN to ignore the law though and come riding in with their guns blazing and take over operations without any form of legal notice. I would be far more worried about anyone with that kind of power and disregard for the law. Like, oh, I don't know.... RegisterFly....

PC Medic Registered | 2007-03-08 16:36:25 Sorry, but ICANN is partially responsible. Part of their function is to over-see the registrars that they accedit AND collect fees from. What they have done so far is a start, but a bit too late for many and kind of like a little boy pissing on a 3 alarm blaze after he sets the house on fire. A band aid on a bullet wound.

sam_okba - WHERE IS ICANN?? Registered | 2007-03-08 15:21:28 Where is ICANN during this? Their silence is deafening. Why can't we as customers just deal with ICANN to get control of our names? ICANN is ultimately responsible for these domain names and for securing them for there legitimate owners. When the matter is resolved they should shut down Registerfly totally. A quick message to the Judge, where did you study law? or should I say what era? Can you even operate a VCR, never mind going on the internet? Your judgment is wrong and provocative to the victims of registerfly. It would have been better to order registerfly to release the names or given ICANN control, closing down registerfly.

flytrap - Need Help? TRY HERE: Registered | 2007-03-08 15:27:17 http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/ Features • Provides a central point for Internet crime victims to report and to alert an appropriate agency on-line at ww.ic3.gov • Collects, reviews, and refers Internet crime complaints to law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction to aid in preventive and investigative efforts • Identifies current crime trends over the Internet, Benefits • Provides an analytical repository for Internet crime complaints • Analyzes and refers all fraudulent activity identified on the Internet to the appropriate local, state, or federal law enforcement authority • Aids in the development of law enforcement training to address identified Internet crime problems • Serves as the catalyst that allows law enforcement and regulatory agencies to network and share data • Potentially reduces the amount of economic loss by Internet crime throughout the United States (From http://www.ic3.gov/media/IC3-flyer.pdf) My two cents: IC3 intervention will attract the media and even force ICANN to give satisfactory solutions.

aj.doyle - This just gets better and bett Registered | 2007-03-08 15:19:35 What are we supposed to do now? Whe (no longer a matter of if) Registerfly goes under, how are we going to get our domain names back? This is absolute insanity! I cannot believe this is happening.

sam_okba - New name for ICANN Registered | 2007-03-08 15:25:50 ICANN should be renamed ICANN'T. This must be the weakest ever organization controlling the toughest market.

freddieb - re: This just gets better and Registered | 2007-03-08 15:27:32 aj.doyle wrote: What are we supposed to do now? Whe (no longer a matter of if) Registerfly goes under, how are we going to get our domain names back? This is absolute insanity! I cannot believe this is happening. Contact ICANN and Verisign let them know what you think. ICANN will reply, not sure about Verisign, but they control all th .coms

sam_okba - George Bush Registered | 2007-03-08 15:28:17 Maybe we could get George Bush to run Registerfly, I heard he knows a little bit about the internet.

devolution - Guide to getting your domains Registered | 2007-03-08 15:34:17 It's not too late! Login to your account. Goto Manage Domains. Click on the domain you wish to transfer. On the domain page, expand the Domain Contact Information box. Click Configure>> At the bottom of the box the Auth-Info code is available. If you have ProtectFly turned on, you'll need to turn it off before getting the Autho-Info code. If the domain is locked, you'll need to unlock it (obviously). I just transferred my remaining Registerfly names to Moniker this week - all went OK! Hope this info helps some people....

PC Medic Registered | 2007-03-08 16:38:52 Problem is this will not work (for various reasons) on thousands of domains. While I got most of mine out sveral are still stuck for various reasons and with no tech support available not much that can be done.

regme Registered | 2007-03-08 15:42:29 This is a wild card, we are only getting a fraction of the story. For a laugh in troubled times visit http://fight-registerfly-fraud.bravehost.com/

Nexious Registered | 2007-03-08 15:46:38 Well, at least one of my domains is screwed to hell then I guess since my account for the domain remains suspended and I can't access any of the control panel options. Question: For another domain of mine, once I have taken note of the authorization code, what is the next step? I've heard some true horror stories about people still being unable to transfer etc... even after having this information.

RegSucks Registered | 2007-03-08 15:49:53 I have been clicking the "configure" button for at least 1000x, however, I still only see RPP. So where's the wizard who can pull the right auth codes out of his hat?

teroxata - re: Registered | 2007-03-08 17:02:53 RegSucks wrote: I have been clicking the "configure" button for at least 1000x, however, I still only see RPP. So where's the wizard who can pull the right auth codes out of his hat? Do try to intiate transfer with using code RPP. It may work. When auth codes for .com and .net domain were introduced some months ago RPP was first the only code available and i made some succesful transfers with only using RPP as a auth code. I doesn´t mean it will now work but it is worth of try..

RichF - RRP DOES NOT WORK Registered | 2007-03-08 18:38:44 I tried transferring to GoDaddy with the RRP code. It DOES NOT WORK. Screwed, Blewed and Tattood. Rich

SyncMaster - re: The Fly Registered | 2007-03-08 15:58:21 Samson wrote: You can't just expect ICANN to ignore the law though and come riding in with their guns blazing and take over operations without any form of legal notice. I would be far more worried about anyone with that kind of power and disregard for the law. Like, oh, I don't know.... RegisterFly.... AMEN to that brother.. Perhaps Registerfly took lessons from the Bush government though? After all Bush is doing the exact same thing. But on a worldwide scale.

Samson - Bush Registered | 2007-03-08 20:23:33 http://www.iguanadons.net/index.php?a=home&p=36 Not gonna repost my entire reply again. Dunno why it got deleted to begin with, but hey. There it is.

admin - Off-topic Super Administrator | 2007-03-08 20:37:34 No problem Sampson, I didn't delete it, just unpublished it. This doesn't need to become a stomping ground for political arguments. It was off topic. If you hadn't have had a copy of it, I had it backed up. Honestly, I don't like to delete what anyone takes the time to write. Let's just stick to the subject of the article. Thank you for understanding.

Hearthstone - Can't Get Auth Codes! Registered | 2007-03-08 16:10:27 FlyGang. I need help! I'm following procedure but when I hit: Domain Contact Information/Modify Contact/Default Registerfly Account Profile/Update" I get the Pink Bar "Error: Bad User Name or Password". There are no passwords installed on my part and I'm obviously already in the account, so how could my user name be bad??? Yikes! Help anyone? Any help out there???

zgarner Registered | 2007-03-08 16:16:40 Is this an expired domain or current? If you do a whois lookup is it an eNom account? I think the User/Pass error is registerfly failing to talk to eNom's api (probably because they are locked out?). I know my account has one expired eNom account (I renewed it, but you know...registerfly is broke). I get/got the exact same error.

Hearthstone - Can't Get Auth Codes Registered | 2007-03-08 16:32:04 OK, I did an InterNic Whois and found all but one under eNom. But my eNom account doesn't show them at all. I'm REALLY baffled. What's going on here? Now I'm on LD phone hold with eNom for 36 minutes.... Gulp.

PC Medic Registered | 2007-03-08 16:41:07 They aren't much help either and it is now apparent why they used RegisterFly as one of their resellers. Make sure you do not have 'ProtectFly enabled for any of the domains in question as well.

zgarner Registered | 2007-03-08 16:45:18 Ya. I think ProtectFly bit me in the butt with my first transfer (they aren't forwarding emails, I'd done one earlier in the month and didn't get it until I opened a ticket..).

SyncMaster - re: Can't Get Auth Codes! Registered | 2007-03-08 20:41:42 Hearthstone wrote: FlyGang. I need help! I'm following procedure but when I hit: Domain Contact Information/Modify Contact/Default Registerfly Account Profile/Update" I get the Pink Bar "Error: Bad User Name or Password". There are no passwords installed on my part and I'm obviously already in the account, so how could my user name be bad??? Yikes! Help anyone? Any help out there??? Believe it or not this is good news . All this means is that the domain names are still with Enom. I had two domains that did the exact same thing for me and now they are at Enom and under my control. All you have to do to get the back is to contact Enom. There is an email address floating around on this site somewhere in regards to contacting someone from Enom about this. However I just went through the help pages at Enom. As I didnt even know this site existed until after I had recovered my domain names. Anyway Enom will just ask you to take some screen shots ( CTRL Alt Print Screen keys all at once) of your domain names in question. They will also ask you for some ID. I gave them my drivers licence. Then once you do this they create a free account for you and then you will be able to log into Enom and have full control of your domain names again . Thats all there is to it.

flytrap - Hi, Paul Levins??? Registered | 2007-03-08 16:10:42 From ICANN's blog - March 7th, 2007(http://blog.icann.org/?p=38) If you wish to unlock names and get auth codes go to www.registerfly.com Are you still recommending us to contact an expiring fly? Why don't YOU clean the mess you've accredited? I foresee your position at ICANN has also a soon-to-come expiration date. And hopefully, your useless organization too.

devolution - re: Registered | 2007-03-08 16:12:21 Nexious wrote: Question: For another domain of mine, once I have taken note of the authorization code, what is the next step? I've heard some true horror stories about people still being unable to transfer etc... even after having this information. Well - you should find a new registrar to transfer it to. Make sure the domain is unlocked. Also some registrars like you to have your email address on the WHOIS so they can send you a confirmation email (update the WHOIS if you need to). You will need to enter the Auth code when you start the transfer process. Usually takes 3-5 days to transfer the domain over to the new registrar. But I would recommend doing it NOW - don't wait otherwise you might not be able to get it out at all... If in doubt, just unlock all your domains and write down your Auth codes, as you still will probably be able to use them even if Registerfly goes down.

indyweb Registered | 2007-03-08 16:35:24 And what about domains that are expired and are still "NOT FOUND" . . this is crazy, I cannot get an auth code because regfly thinks my name is expired. I must transfer this name soon or I'm screwed. . . wth are we supposed to do now?

Marion - Verisign has to Act Registered | 2007-03-08 16:59:52 The reason domain names give the "domain not found" error is because they are not in OUR accounts. These domain names are in someone else's account, this is why we can't manage them. For the domain names that give "domain not found" and that have the correct whois data, Verisign could help us transfer these domain names out by giving us the authorization codes. PIR (the registry manager for .org domain names) has done this. I got authorization codes for my Registerfly domain names that returned the "domain not found" error from PIR and transferred them out. PIR will only give you the codes if the whois data is correct however. Verisign needs to give us the authorization codes for the "domain not found" domain names at Registerfly because Registerfly either can't or won't give us the codes.

dummy Registered | 2007-03-08 17:12:44 Oh yeah unlock my ass. None of my domains can be unlocked. Sure, they are locked and unlocked in the panel but that's about all - in the WHOIS is still LOCKED. And how am I supposed to get the domains out now?

endemixllc - Easy Answer for domains with E Registered | 2007-03-08 17:14:46 For those who show eNom still on their WHOIS as Registrar, they (eNom) has a department that is handling them. I was lucky enough to have some I registered through Registerfly still show as eNom. It took them 5 minutes to get them into my eNom account and under my full control. I dealt with Josh there and it was smooth. Here are his instructions: Hello, If your domains have eNom as the registrar then we can be of assistance. Please complete the following steps and we will attempt to assist you as best we can: You can find which registrar manages your domain at www.WHOIS.net 1. email a screenshot from within your RegisterFly account showing the domain, so that we may verify domain ownership 2. email a copy of your photo ID (Driver’s license) 3. email your eNom login ID, (The one you created on enomcentral.com) Note: Please include your domains in text format in the email, along with the screenshots so that we may expedite your request. Once the above has been provided and validated we will have the domain(s) placed into your new eNom account. josh | business development ______________________________ eNom, Inc., a Demand Media company Phone: 425.274.4500 x4286 Fax: 425.974.4793 15801 NE 24th St Bellevue, WA 98008

SyncMaster Registered | 2007-03-08 20:45:46 Yep Josh is fantastic ... He was the one who helped me get my domain names back that were still at Enom...

zgarner Registered | 2007-03-08 17:19:58 endemixllc, What was the cost? Were any of your domains expired, I read they have been charging $160 to 'recover' expired accounts (my situation, although I payed 3 times for a renewal w/RF...). On the upside, if Kevin *was* the one responsible for all this trouble is seems fitting that he have control of the company when it gets sued. Seeing no clear strategy yet, I'd personally not be working to hard to get control of this particular product unless I *really* believed I could bring value back to it (and that will only happen with some small miracle, if Kevin can do that all the best).

captainproton Registered | 2007-03-08 17:37:40 Well is Kevin going to move out of the $10000 month condo? Sell the $6000 dog?

endemixllc - Document Everything Registered | 2007-03-08 17:26:12 Make a PDF of any support tickets you have with Registerfly (I have plenty) to document your history in case they wipe the files. Also, in the bulk area, you can document all your financial transactions and renewals up through perhaps January 2007. After that, your attempts at renewal have not been logged as best as I can tell. THE MORE DOCUMENTATION YOU HAVE THE BETTER for when you go after these losers. Also dovument any domains you have there. Don't forget to document the lists in the EXPIRED and SOON TO EXPIRE areas also. You will find there are domains that should appear in soon to expire that dont and are only in your main list. You will also find many domains you have transferred still being listed as well as domains that you have renewed, or at least they took your money for it, thet dont reflect this in your account but does in a WHOIS. God help us all...we are in the hands of two fags who are having a cat fight and we are in the middle.

sirchadlington - LETS SEE IT Registered | 2007-03-08 17:31:30 Can we see a PDF copy of all the COURT PAPERS? I'd like to see this in legal writing. All court cases have documentation, admin... get a hold of this court docs and post them on the site. Until then, I really don't want to believe that Kevin is back in charge, and to be honest, I dont know who to believe... Kevin for all we know could be the good guy. EVERYONE WANTING TO GET OUT: READ THIS THREAD. Goodluck!

endemixllc - to Zgarner Registered | 2007-03-08 17:33:40 There was no cost unless the domains needed renewal in which case they were charged the normal eNom renewal price. If you have a bunch, you can ask to have your retail account changed to wholesale which brings the costs per domain renewal and registration from like 19.95 or 29.95 down to 9.99.

bogene2020 - Auth Code Format Registered | 2007-03-08 17:36:36 Can some post the format for the Auth code ? How many characters are in the Auth Code ? Thanks

SyncMaster Registered | 2007-03-08 20:51:12 The Authocode will look something like this: S42EDDFB269Z5BRS

endemixllc - to sirchadlington Registered | 2007-03-08 17:46:47 Great FAQ, its very accurate except perhaps for the blank contact info and domain not found. I was on the phone with eNom today and checked myself. My domains with this problem show Registerfly as the Registrar via WHOIS. You may also wish to know that the grandfather Network Solutions has a VIP program for people with bulk domains priced at $7.95 for transfers. They still hit you for &15.95 for renewals but you can extend the registrations for several years during the transfer at the same $7.95. I don't think people in this forum are aware that John Medina and John Naruszewicz, the two idiots responsible for this mess and who are at odds with each other in court were lovers. Medina submitted an affidavit yesterday in court that details their failed relationship. This is what truly aggravates me. We are facing financial problems with our domains that were brought about because of a lovers spat! How insane is that?

SyncMaster - re: to sirchadlington Registered | 2007-03-08 21:05:56 endemixllc wrote: I don't think people in this forum are aware that John Medina and John Naruszewicz, the two idiots responsible for this mess and who are at odds with each other in court were lovers. Medina submitted an affidavit yesterday in court that details their failed relationship. This is what truly aggravates me. We are facing financial problems with our domains that were brought about because of a lovers spat! How insane is that? I hope you are not serious about this? However if this is true. I am horrified that so many people have lost their domain names, business, time, money and so much more just because of fallout between to pillow biters. Not only is this sickening its down right disgusting. Yet it is so dam typical of fags isn't it! I use to work for a couple of screaming benders and when their relationship feel apart all hell broke loose. Many good working and innocent people suffered from these pair of filthy fudge packers. Both in and out of the workplace. They just don't care about anyone or anything other than their own agenda. They are so insensitive and all they care about are themselves and what they can get. So yes if this is true I am not surprised at all. I know I have seen this all before. Because at the end of the day they are just selfish bastards.

zgarner - endemixllc Registered | 2007-03-08 17:47:44 Thanks. I'm still trying to figure out the expired process (can't get an auth code) but I appreciate the info. bogene2020 - the format with RF varies. I'm not sure what good it would do you to know, but I've seen 16 digit auth codes (with what appears to be the standard 8 zeros at the begin) and also 10 character alpha-numeric codes (mixed case). Hope that helps.

jamesirwin66 - Medina is a piece of shit Registered | 2007-03-08 19:32:54 Medina is a piece of shit... I hope that cocksucker realizes what he's done to so many people's lives. I'm getting my names the f&%@ out of RegFly ASAP.

PopsUp - How to get out . Registered | 2007-03-08 20:02:37 I get all the codes but I can't get out as my domain can't be unlocked how to get out ?

vockla Registered | 2007-03-08 21:53:29 I unlocked several domains without problems. 1. In your Manage domains list click on the domain you want to unlock. 2. You will see the page of that particular domain. Look at the right column which has many tabs. One of them says "Lock domain". Hit it. 3. Now you will see a button to unlock the domain name. Try that. It worked for me.

freddieb - re: How to get out . Registered | 2007-03-08 20:17:56 PopsUp wrote: I get all the codes but I can't get out as my domain can't be unlocked how to get out ? Domains can be unlocked at present at RF Get in, unlock your sites and transfer!

Stanley - re: George Bush Registered | 2007-03-08 21:04:47 sam_okba wrote: Maybe we could get George Bush to run Registerfly, I heard he knows a little bit about the internet. Sorry, but it was Al Gore that started the Internet (chuckle!)

Stanley Registered | 2007-03-08 21:19:02 Despite what happens to our names and whether or not Kevin, John or Glenn is in control of RegisterFly - RegisterFly is done. Most of the big domainers that own/control hundreds of thousands of domains won't touch RF with a hundred foot pole...at least if they have any sense. And I don't think RF will be able to survive long on what domains will be left in thier control once the dust settles.

aussiebattler - Why doesn't the mainstream IT Registered | 2007-03-08 21:20:35 We need to take action. I've written to IT newspapers online. Search google. None of the main IT sites are reporting this. Search google news, and there are hardly any stories. We're on our own. No one out there knows this is happening. I myself only discovered it by chance, as I came across this site. If not, I would not have known that my domains are in trouble. Now, RF won't give me the transfer codes. My business domains are there, together with some client domains. We need to write to the press. The Press is like a government. They won't listen unless they get LOTS and TRUCK LOADS of complaints and letters. Try these sites: pcworld.com pcmag.com zdnet.com itworld.com itwire.com technewsworld.com For more IT sites, search google for and you'll find lots of IT sites, since they would naturally have carried stories on MS Vista.

a101 Registered | 2007-03-08 21:26:06 Unable to locate user account [accountname], please try again. If you are unsure of your password please click here. Due to new security guidelines we require all passwords now to be strong and of a minimum length This is ALL I've gotten in the last two weeks! .

Stanley Registered | 2007-03-08 21:36:35 There are domains listed in my account that I "pushed" to new owners months ago, names that should be in my account that are just missing although WHOIS is correct, names listed that I transferred out months ago...my whole account is a friggin mess!

Nexious Registered | 2007-03-20 10:21:02 Business Week article about today's ruling: Judge Rules for Ousted Registerfly CEO Former CEO Kevin Medina has regained control of the domain name registrar, which has less than a week to straighten out accounts with ICANN by Steve Hamm and Megan Tucker In a legal decision that stunned even the lawyers for the victor, a U.S. District Court judge on Mar. 8 handed over the embattled Web registrar Registerfly.com to the executive who was running it when it began to founder. Judge Peter Sheridan ruled in favor of defendant Kevin Medina, who had been chief executive of the parent company, Unifiednames, before he was fired by two other board members on Feb. 12. It wasn't immediately clear what impact the ruling would have on the company's future and the more than 200,000 Web site owners who have registered their domain names through Registerfly.com. Concerns over the company have arisen in recent months amid complaints from customers who said they weren't receiving services they'd paid for and a brewing battle for control among owners. Domain-name registrars such as Registerfly.com receive fees for registering Web site names and ensuring they remain current. "Back in the Driver's Seat" Medina retook control of the company immediately, but, as of late Mar. 8, the Web site still featured a notice, placed by John Naruszewicz, Medina's longtime business partner and successor as CEO. The statement includes an apology to customers for recent turmoil and assurances that management is "taking every necessary measure to address the problem at its source." Eugenie Temmler, Medina's attorney, of the Upper Montclair (N.J.) firm of Rabner, Allcorn, Baumgart & Ben-Asher, says Medina "is confident he will be able to correct the problems caused by Mr. Naruszewicz's attempt to take over the company." Interviewed in a Newark (N.J.) courtroom after the ruling, Medina was pleased: "This decision puts me back in the driver's seat," he said. "I believe I have built a lot of customers that will weather the storm." Naruszewicz, one of the two who had fired Medina and taken control of the company, doesn't plan to appeal the judge's decision. "We lost and it's all over," he says. "The company will implode in days and 1 million domain names are going to be lost. It's a damned shame." Current and former customers reacted with shock on Web forums and e-mails: "This is very bad. Registerfly will be shut down soon," predicts Justin Kulhawick, a former customer who last year set up a Web site, Registerflies.com, to call attention to the company's failings. Among the company's customers are the government of Thailand, the Easter Seals charity, and pop star Michael Jackson. ICANN Accreditation at Risk If Medina is able to keep the cash-strapped company running, he will have to deal with the International Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers, the organization that accredits domain name registrars. On Feb. 21, ICANN filed notice with Registerfly.com that it would remove accreditation if it didn't straighten out accounts. The company has until Mar. 14 to comply. "The company still has to cure the breaches. If they don't, we'll take their accreditation away," says Paul Levins, ICANN's vice-president for corporate affairs. Those breaches of contract include failing to provide ICANN with records of who owns accounts, proof that it is paying the keepers of domain name registries for its customers' names, and replacing customers' names with Medina's name. Medina had been the company's chief executive from its launch in 2000 until three weeks ago. ICANN had been hearing complaints about poor customer service from Registerfly.com's customers for a year, but learned of what it termed "serious breaches" three months ago. Registerfly.com's Web site shut down abruptly on Mar. 6. after Naruszewicz wrested control from Medina. It was back online late on Mar. 7. The two men had sued each other on a wide array of claims and counterclaims (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/8/07, "Allegations Fly at Registerfly"). In a suit filed Feb. 12, Naruszewicz alleged that Medina had been stealing money from the company since the middle of last year to pay for two Cadillac Escalades, a penthouse apartment in Miami's South Beach, an escort service, and liposuction. In a phone interview, Naruszewicz said Medina used company funds to pay for loads of private expenses. Also, he said Medina was taking customers' money in online transactions and then failing to register the domain names they had paid for. Medina denied misusing company funds and accused Naruszewicz of using fraud to take control of the company. After listening to about 45 minutes of testimony and spending 40 minutes reviewing documents, Judge Sheriden ruled that Medina owned the company. He declared stock certificates held by Naruszewicz null and void. Even before the ruling, ICANN had taken action to prevent Registerfly.com customers from losing their domain names. It convinced four companies that have overall control of the majority of domain names not to let Registerfly.com customers' names expire. If that happened, other individuals or companies could claim the names. Already, about 75,000 Registerfly.com customers have lost access to their own Web sites.

Trillium Registered | 2007-03-08 23:35:49 Oh My God!! Fool me once ... I've unlocked my names, grabbed my codes and I'm moving on! Goodbye Fly!!! Hello MacHighway (the Mac friendly place I'm running away to).

Trillium Registered | 2007-03-08 23:40:56 So much for justice Un freakin believable

ElectricShadow Registered | 2007-03-09 05:08:19 Just what I need, I've got no money to get my domains out, I don't even know if I can get them out. Things have gone from bad to worse, this has to be the begining of the end for RF

eio - what am I doing wrong? Registered | 2007-03-12 23:52:45 I don't have a lot of names and only 12 of them are padlocked by RF. I want to get them out of there, but cannot locate the authorization numbers. I click on Manage Domains, select a name, and the next step, at the bottom of the page, is Modify. That brings up a screen with Modify Contact Information, Modify Nameservers (DNS), Modify URL/Redirect, etc. I activate the first item, contact information, and I find a list with Registrant, Technical, Administrative and Billing fields, but nowhere is there an authorization number. I cannot find the term "configure" or "reconfigure" anywhere. I need help. By the way, being such a small player, I only lost two domains due to fraud, although RF was fairly generous to itself when it accessed my credit card.

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