I just learned some terrible news and I'm wondering if there is anyone here who might be able to help. The domain name registrar which I have used for years (Registerfly.com) did not renew my domain name (ImagesofRMNP.com) even though I paid for the renewal. They let it expire and after trying to contact them for the last couple of days without success I learned that ICANN has shut them down in late March for running scams like this. There doesn't seem to be anyway yet of retrieving names, especially ones that they have let expire. I use this domain name on everything from business cards, store sign, rack cards in all the hotels, on all my products, etc. To loose it would be a major blow. Does anyone have any idea what I might be able to do in this situation?
Unfortunately, I can't think of a short term solution. But it sure sounds like you have grounds for breach of contract and perhaps class action lawsuit, as I'm sure they treated others the same way. If it were my livelihood, I'd be looking for a lawyer and making hard copies of all user agreements and other info from their website. And I'd go after them.
Immediately contact the original registrar of domain names, Network Solutions (www.netsol.com), and explain your situation. Tell them you want to register with them and explain what happened. They should be able to help. Although they are more expensive than everyone else, they are also more reliable. (No one has been doing it longer.)
BTW, there is usually some lag time after names expire so you should be OK.
Eric,
I'm not sure what you can do but you might contact another registrar, that is reputable, talk with a person, and see if they can help. I use godaddy.com for my domains. They're inexpensive and reliable. They're pretty big too. I know when I let one of my domain names expire there is a period that it is not publicly available during which I can change my mind and keep the domain. Maybe another registrar can step in and reserve the domain for you since you can prove that you owned it and did not have the option to renew it.
Also there are services, godaddy may offer one, that will monitor the name spaces and attempt to reserve a name when it becomes available. You might look in to that as a preemptive option.
If I can think of anything else I'll try to help. Good luck!
Wow, that sucks, Erik. My first thought was to find another, more reputable registrar and try to get them to do the legwork to figure out how to transfer your domain. I'm sure there are plenty of companies that want your business, and can deal with type of issue.
After I thought of that, I did some internet searching, and came upon this site which apparently had the exact same issue. They don't go into deal, but it sounds like they did what I was thinking: find another registrar, give them some documentation to prove you own the name, and let them handle it.
I've been scouring the internet about this, and so far this is the only place that seems to have solved their problem.
Thanks guys! I've just contacted GoDaddy to see if they can help me gain control of the domain and move it to their company. For my domains that haven't expired I'll probably try the other solution listed.
The good news: your domain hasn't been snagged by a domain squatter.
The bad news: registerfly isn't around to verify your name transfer.
The good news: another registrar can help you here; you should be able to reclaim it with documentation - a receipt from registerfly would be a good start, but business documentation will help.
If GoDaddy can't provide semi-immediate relief, talk to Network Solutions as CAZ mentioned; they are the central registrar for the .COM domain and can probably expedite your transfer.
I'm still fighting to get something resolved with this as I desperately need to get this domain up and running. Another paper just did an article on me using this url. I also just did an installation of a number of pieces in a public place which also list this url and have sent out 5,000 cards to the hotels around town with this url, etc, etc. Ugh!
Here is what GoDaddy is telling me now:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0 to 42 days later the Registrar releases the domain to the Registry --> The domain is held for 30 days by the Registry (Redemption Period) --> The domain takes 5 days to be released --> The domain is available for new registration
A domain is not immediately available after the expiration date. It can take 35 to 85 days after the expiration date before the domain name is publicly available.
Please let us know if we can help you in any other way.
From other articles I have read, over 200,000 domains have been impacted by this and there are many in my situation where they let the domain expire inspite of payment. It sounds like there is a lot of legal wrestling going on and some think the CEO is trying to bring down as many folks with him as he can. I'm hoping that ICANN will succeed in getting a warrant to confiscate the servers so they can get the info, but the guy is claiming that he's been hacked and doesn't have it. Who knows if it is there or not. This is a big test for the whole Internet registration system.
Try Network Solutions (www.netsol.com) for the reasons Les and I mentioned above. I still think they are better positioned to help you than any other registrar would be.
Good post, Todd. Even so, the transfer is up to week by ICANN rules.
I wonder if the ICANN Board still has enough brains to consider that all Registrars should have to contract with another Registrar to maintain backup data, and that failure to maintain those records should be immediate grounds for decertification...
Thanks for the helpful link Todd. My problem is that no-one but registerfly can renew the expired domain name and I've already paid them twice to do this. I've got support tickets into them, perhaps they will get around to it on their way to jail. The link was very helpful though. I'll keep watch on it for any new info.
Discussion
14 repliesUnfortunately, I can't think of a short term solution. But it sure sounds like you have grounds for breach of contract and perhaps class action lawsuit, as I'm sure they treated others the same way. If it were my livelihood, I'd be looking for a lawyer and making hard copies of all user agreements and other info from their website. And I'd go after them.
Immediately contact the original registrar of domain names, Network Solutions (www.netsol.com), and explain your situation. Tell them you want to register with them and explain what happened. They should be able to help. Although they are more expensive than everyone else, they are also more reliable. (No one has been doing it longer.)
BTW, there is usually some lag time after names expire so you should be OK.
Good luck and keep us informed,
I'm not sure what you can do but you might contact another registrar, that is reputable, talk with a person, and see if they can help. I use godaddy.com for my domains. They're inexpensive and reliable. They're pretty big too. I know when I let one of my domain names expire there is a period that it is not publicly available during which I can change my mind and keep the domain. Maybe another registrar can step in and reserve the domain for you since you can prove that you owned it and did not have the option to renew it.
Also there are services, godaddy may offer one, that will monitor the name spaces and attempt to reserve a name when it becomes available. You might look in to that as a preemptive option.
If I can think of anything else I'll try to help. Good luck!
After I thought of that, I did some internet searching, and came upon this site which apparently had the exact same issue. They don't go into deal, but it sounds like they did what I was thinking: find another registrar, give them some documentation to prove you own the name, and let them handle it.
I've been scouring the internet about this, and so far this is the only place that seems to have solved their problem.
http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=7346
This person sounds like they have a solution, but they don't tell you what it is. Worth looking in to, though,
The bad news: registerfly isn't around to verify your name transfer.
The good news: another registrar can help you here; you should be able to reclaim it with documentation - a receipt from registerfly would be a good start, but business documentation will help.
If GoDaddy can't provide semi-immediate relief, talk to Network Solutions as CAZ mentioned; they are the central registrar for the .COM domain and can probably expedite your transfer.
Here is what GoDaddy is telling me now:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to 42 days later the Registrar releases the domain to the Registry --> The domain is held for 30 days by the Registry (Redemption Period) --> The domain takes 5 days to be released --> The domain is available for new registration
A domain is not immediately available after the expiration date. It can take 35 to 85 days after the expiration date before the domain name is publicly available.
Please let us know if we can help you in any other way.
From other articles I have read, over 200,000 domains have been impacted by this and there are many in my situation where they let the domain expire inspite of payment. It sounds like there is a lot of legal wrestling going on and some think the CEO is trying to bring down as many folks with him as he can. I'm hoping that ICANN will succeed in getting a warrant to confiscate the servers so they can get the info, but the guy is claiming that he's been hacked and doesn't have it. Who knows if it is there or not. This is a big test for the whole Internet registration system.
Try Network Solutions (www.netsol.com) for the reasons Les and I mentioned above. I still think they are better positioned to help you than any other registrar would be.
CAZ
http://www.registerflies.com/icann-organization/court-decision-allows-imminent-termination-of-regist.html
(see the comments at the end)
Seems like some people are having some success at renewing their domains with the support ticket system and then moving them...fyi...
Good Luck!
I wonder if the ICANN Board still has enough brains to consider that all Registrars should have to contract with another Registrar to maintain backup data, and that failure to maintain those records should be immediate grounds for decertification...