poll Should registries and registrars extend all expiring registrations for free in these times of chaos?

No, everybody should handle their own business. I already have mine renewed to 2021 at least, some into 2022.

In particular, Verisign has much at stake here. We'll see what they do. They did not give many hints.

We did propose to Verisign this week that they should make it possible to transfer domains without fee. After all, there is no way to to secure collateral for the loans without securing registrar control.

That gesture costs them nothing and would increase the chances of keeping domain ownership diverse versus allowing an abundance of names going through expiry streams for the domain owners who are not positioned to endure a short-term shock.

On the positive side, I have seen a strong week of domain inquiries -- it is the low and mid end of the market that is getting the bids, often from small businesses and startups that are trying to quickly re-tool for a digital economy. I expect the corporates and agencies will follow.

With over half a million confirmed cases currently, there is bound to be some that own domains in need of renewal.
Not everyone has the foresight to see themselves bound in a bed with no clear mind to do the basics, not to say check domain expirations.

I say, some kind of help is needed so, yes, extending a domain's registration in specific cases sounds fair.

I believe the reduction of redemption fee by Verisign would be an appropriate choice.

I voted no, because all companies are affected as well as individual domainers. Verisign and registrars will do what they can. Some more than others because they are in a better financual position to weather the storm and are looking with an eye to protect the long term relationship with thier customer. However we, as domain investors, can not have our hands out looking for somebody to just give us stuff free. We need to be responsible for our own businesses. I'll tell you, after the beating I took last week in the stock market, my broker didn't say, "here are some free stocks"

Many registers auction your name off before the full redemption schedule has a chance to lapse?

Definitely not. It will slow down a huge part of the aftermarket that is depending on drops/expired auctions.

Rob Monster said:

We did propose to Verisign this week that they should make it possible to transfer domains without fee. After all, there is no way to to secure collateral for the loans without securing registrar control.

That gesture costs them nothing and would increase the chances of keeping domain ownership diverse versus allowing an abundance of names going through expiry streams for the domain owners who are not positioned to endure a short-term shock.

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You mean a transfer without an extention on the registration? If that doesn't cost them anything, why are we required to pay for renewal upon transfer in the first place?

I never questioned this practice untill a couple of years ago when more registries started allowing free transfers without renewal. It would make life so much easier if that was also the case for gtlds. I can think of some downsides for registrars, do you think this would be a feasable alternative compared to the current transfer process?

Reducing the redemption fee would be appropriate. But for domain name renewals, it's not like the domain owner didn't know at least a year in advance that the domain was going to need to be renewed.

bhartzer said:

Reducing the redemption fee would be appropriate. But for domain name renewals, it's not like the domain owner didn't know at least a year in advance that the domain was going to need to be renewed.

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I am one for paying your bills on time, but the same could be said for saving for a rainy day, not knowing if you rent is due, not having a few months of mortgage payments ready etc... there is nothing wrong with companies helping customers in times of needs, on the flip side when oil prices shot up many people had fuel surcharges go onto their bills to help those companies in need, now oil at $20, some of those invoices still have those fuel surcharges on them still.

I believe this is an extra ordinary time in history, and people deserve to be helped out, they are loyal customers/clients, and if companies can assist them, and make their lives easier over the next few months, in return they are customers for life, where is the harm in that?

NameDeck said:

You mean a transfer without an extention on the registration? If that doesn't cost them anything, why are we required to pay for renewal upon transfer in the first place?

I never questioned this practice untill a couple of years ago when more registries started allowing free transfers without renewal. It would make life so much easier if that was also the case for gtlds. I can think of some downsides for registrars, do you think this would be a feasable alternative compared to the current transfer process?

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We have asked Verisign to do as Nominet does which is allow transfers without forcing people to add a year of domain renewal. They have yet to reply on that one but if someone wants to lend funds against a domain they likely require a transfer. For people with a lot of marginal names, that may not be economic.

Rob Monster said:

We have asked Verisign to do as Nominet does which is allow transfers without forcing people to add a year of domain renewal. They have yet to reply on that one but if someone wants to lend funds against a domain they likely require a transfer. For people with a lot of marginal names, that may not be economic.

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Yeah, the nominet procedure isn't that bad. I guess we would get to see a lot of domains moving if all registrars will allow this as well may ICANN agree on your proposition. Would be a nice opportunity to consolodate registrars at the same time.

Keep us posted!

What affect will it have on people that own a lot of domains.