If you’ve ever registered a domain name, you’re likely acutely aware of the Domain Registry of America. The company is notorious for the incessant mailing of deceptive renewal letters that essentially trick users into renewing with the Domain Registry of America (DROA) (many times at a much higher price) instead of renewing with the company where the domain was initially required. These mailings however may be stopping soon.
ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has suspended Brandon Gray Internet Services (dba namejuice.com) the company behind the DROA. Brandon Gray is suspended from registering names until October 10th. In addition, a breach notice was sent by ICANN and the DROA adhere to a lengthy list of requirements including:
“…Brandon Gray and its resellers cease sending marketing materials that are false or deceptive to Registered Name Holders with domains sponsored by registrars other than Brandon Gray during the suspension;”
Additionally, Brandon Gray must hand over marketing material, confirmation of the suspended tactics and much more. A different letter from ICANN is further questioning the collection methods for obtaining all of the physical addresses that were used in the mailing.
This means no more DROA letters in your physical mailbox (for a short while at least). So why has this just surfaced now? According to DomainNameWire the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement that placed stricter rules on registrars from a reselling standpoint. A specific element of this agreement targets resellers that undertake deceptive advertising practices.
In order to cure the breach by the DROA, ICANN has a full list of requirements that includes full disclosure and transparency on all marketing tactics. Postal Workers across the country may soon be rejoicing as digging out of this may be too monumental a task for the DROA.
For more information see Domain Name Wire, the notice of suspension from ICANN and the notice of breach from ICANN.
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