[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

PAB WorldNIC & InterNIC

Hi,

I have been off this list for a while, but I have recently found something you
may all find interesting. It is regarding NSI's domain name registration
services via their WorldNIC (worldnic.com).

It appears that currently all users registering domain names via WorldNIC
services, are Locked into payments to this register, WorldNIC. ALL subsequent
invoices are sent to the user from WorldNIC, and at their higher "Value-added"
price. This will be invoiced from WorldNIC, even if the user has changed all the
contact info and has moved their entire domain to another provider.

Actually changes to the NIC dB can also only be made in through WorldNIC web
site. When we sent a Modify Template to NIC we got an automated reply referring
us to worldnic.com.

If this is the sign of things to come, it is not looking good.

This line of questioning I first sent to the Domain-Policy list because I
couldn't believe that this would be legal. Besides causing some stir there, I
also received mail from Chuck Gomes, VP at NSI. Saying this was true, but "it is
not currently possible to move from WorldNIC-JP to the InterNIC.  This
limitation should be removed sometime in the future but I do not have a target
date at this time."

This little fact is also not mentioned in their web-site, which appears to be
aimed at new web users. The same type people  who wouldn't know they are locked
into a higher renewal fee when the 1st 2 years are over, even if they thought
they changed providers.

In the last 3 weeks we have had 3 inquires about moving their domain to our
service. Which is why I first began looking into this.  As part of our Net
services in Japan we handle all aspects of the user's Admin, Tech, Zone and
Billing Contacts. We also handle the registration and actual payments to NIC for
them at no additional charge. All three say that they were not aware of this
billing policy.

Does anyone know if this is Legal? WorldNIC being the only InterNIC registration
service which can Lock the billing and Modify into themselves. (Well, at least
until they "plan" to remove this limitation.)

I would appreciate any comments on this subject.

Sincerely,
Tim Evans
Admiral Systems
tim@admiral.ad.jp