ICANN is about to complicate domain transfers.
ICANN is getting ready to deliver a resounding blow to domain crime, by changing the domain transfer process, once again.
Nine years after the latest rules of domain transfers changed, the new procedure complicates things for domain investors.
No longer will a simple change, such as editing a letter in the name or address or email be considered minor.
Any change to a domain’s contact info would be considered an update that requires the domain registrar to lock it down for 60 days.
Beginning on December 1st, registrars are required to send emails to the registrant to confirm changes whenever they are made; once confirmed, these changes would cause domains to be nontransferable for the following two months.
The implications to domain investors are clear: when selling a domain name, many domain investors would edit the domain’s contact info, then wait for the new owner to transfer it out to the registrar of their choice.
Under the new ICANN domain transfer policy, such edits would lock down the domain for 60 days.
The new approach would thus require either a direct transfer out, or the creation of a new account at the buyer’s choice of a registrar, and the transfer there. The process would lock down the domain for 60 days as well.
It appears that pushing domains between accounts would also lock down the domain, if the source and destination WHOIS info differs in as much as one letter!
Regarding domain crime, the new process requires any edit to be confirmed by the source and destination emails.
However, domain thieves who have taken over control of an email account would still be able to authorize such transfers out. The only benefit is, that the destination email change would lock down the domain for 60 days. This also prolongs the domain recovery process for the legitimate owner’s sake, adding unnecessary frustration.
In addition, the new domain process requires the creation of new email notifications by the registrars. We are certain, that domain cybercriminals will take advantage of this, creating phishing emails. Serial spammers will most definitely add this type of language to their mass, unsolicited email notices as well.
Overall, it feels as if ICANN is attempting to crack down on domain crime with a sledgehammer, as opposed to a surgical instrument. The new domain transfer process will most definitely frustrate many domain investors.
If you plan to do mass edits of your domain portfolio, make sure to do so before December 1st. After that, you’ll be receiving an email to confirm edits for every domain.
