"Express written objection" at GoDaddy transfer

[tech4]

Hi,

I am trying to transfer out a domain name I bought a month ago at Sedo.
The domain was held at Godaddy for years by the previous owner, Sedo then took over the admin/contact after it was transfer (bought out), and then now I am the new contact.

I tried to transfer to my registrar today. And receive this message. It looks too technical and confusing.

"Express written objection to the transfer from the Transfer Contact. (e.g. - email, fax, paper document or other processes by which the Transfer Contact has expressly and voluntarily objected through opt-in means).

The express written objection may be the result of a pending or recently completed Change of Registered Name Holder. This is an opt-in process during which the new Registered Name Holder agrees not to transfer for 60-days. This domain will be transferrable on 5/29/2009."

I am not sure what that mean, "express written objection" I didn't do it. since I am the owner.

Could someone clarify the situation if I am able to transfer?

thank you

 

[JoshuaPz]

GoDaddy does not allow domains to be transferred out within 60 days following a contact update. You'll have to ask your Sedo rep. to push you the domain name.

 

[tech4]

Well, it was pushed to a Sedo's account, and Sedo then again pushed to a free account for me.

that's strange, I thought the 60 day policies was for only new domain names.

 

[JoshuaPz]

that's strange, I thought the 60 day policies was for only new domain names.

Normally it does, but GoDaddy implements an artificial 60-day "transfer lock" whenever the domain's contact info is updated (which occurs whenever a push takes place) as an added measure of security.

GD domains can be push around arbitrarily often though, so just ask your rep. for a push.

 

[tech4]

You mean Godaddy's rep? Or sedo's rep because at this point, its a month later and Sedo has nothing to do with it.

 

[JoshuaPz]

You mean Godaddy's rep? Or sedo's rep because at this point, its a month later and Sedo has nothing to do with it.

Sedo's rep. If the domain name lies in one of Sedo's accounts, it's still Sedo's responsibility.

 

[tech4]

At this point its my own account at GD.

Its too late? I have to wait until june to transfer out.

 

[JoshuaPz]

At this point its my own account at GD.

Its too late? I have to wait until june to transfer out.

That's correct. If you have 500+ domains in your GD account, however, you're eligible for an executive rep. You rep. may be willing to break the transfer lock if you confirm your identity to him/her.

 

[shruchi nagar]

Hello

Strange, I thought the 60 day policies was for only new domain names.

 

[Spade]

Its a safety protocol - making sure any domains taken from an account and pushed to another - were done rightfully.

 

[tech4]

that's not exactly safety, I think its more to retain customers.

Because if the domain were to be push into another registrar in the first place, Godaddy would have had nothing to do with it later.

 

[JoshuaPz]

that's not exactly safety, I think its more to retain customers.

Because if the domain were to be push into another registrar in the first place, Godaddy would have had nothing to do with it later.

I'm not a huge proponent of GoDaddy, but I do believe their 60-day X-fer lock policy to be a valid safety precaution. Poke around NamePros a bit an read how often it happens that hackers break into other users' domaining accounts, push the domain names to their own accounts on the same registrar, and then transfer them out a few days later.

To reiterate, you can work around this restriction if you're a GoDaddy VIP member and provide confirmation of the push to your executive rep.

 

[tricolorro]

Strange, I thought the 60 day policies was for only new domain names.

It also applies to domains transferred in from another Registrar.

GoDaddy does not allow domains to be transferred out within 60 days following a contact update. You'll have to ask your Sedo rep. to push you the domain name.

JoshuaPz,

Because of GoDaddy's shenanigans denying domain transfers out
simply because of a "contact update", ICANN created what many
call the "GoDaddy Rule".

[At least I call it that. ]

Excerpts from the:
Registrar Advisory Concerning the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy
3 April 2008

"This section of the advisory considers the scenario when a registrar requires a registrant to provide consent to deny transfer requests for a certain period of time (usually 60 days) in order for the registrant to update its Whois data."

" 2. A registrant change to Whois information is not a valid reason to deny a transfer request."

"Section A.3 of the Transfer Policy enumerates nine independent bases that a registrar may rely on to deny a domain name transfer request.

Registrant updates to Whois contact details is not enumerated as a valid basis to deny a transfer request in the Transfer Policy.

In addition, ordinary changes to Whois data fields are not evidence of fraud and therefore not a basis to deny a domain name transfer request.

"A registrant’s objection to transfer is not valid unless it is obtained voluntarily."

"Registrars that have implemented processes that require registrants to consent to deny transfer requests in order to update Whois contact information are not obtaining voluntary express objections and therefore such objections cannot be used as a basis for denying a transfer pursuant to Section A.3 of the Transfer Policy.

If GoDaddy locks your domain because of any WhoIs update:

• Call GoDaddy.

• Ask for a Supervisor.

• Tell him/her that Godaddy is in violation of the
  Registrar Accreditation Agreement and you want your domain
  released so it can be transferred out.

I have done this and so have others.

Also:
http://www.icann.org/transfers/

"If you feel your Registrar is breaching its Registrar Accreditation Agreement with ICANN, then you should contact the ICANN compliance team.

Its head is Stacy Burnette and you can email her at:
[email protected] "

 

[labrocca]

Tell him/her that Godaddy is in violation of the
Registrar Accreditation Agreement and you want your domain
released so it can be transferred out.

Exactly and it really pisses me off they get away with it.

 

[tech4]

thank you for the information. I will now contact godaddy support and ask that they allow my domain to be transfer away. (as much as they do not like it).

 

[mayed]

am using godaddy for 3 years now ... and i find them almost the best registrar ...

the 60 days transfer policy after updating or changing info... is one of the best policies they implemented ...


if you just focus little bit you will realize that this is a security procedure for your domains .... NOT to force you to stay with them ...


always remember that they are the biggest registrar ... each day many domains transferred in and out.


for me, i guess they have great services ... and almost the best customer service i have ever deal with ...

 

[tricolorro]

thank you for the information. I will now contact godaddy support and ask that they allow my domain to be transfer away. (as much as they do not like it).

tech4

The info I posted was addressing the situation
where GoDaddy locks domains because of changes
to the WhoIs.

Your situation involves in effect a change of ownership but
there is no extension to the term of the Registration so I
think you have a case.

A "Push" is neither a New Registration nor a Transfer In.

You have nothing to lose by trying.

For the future the best thing to do is NOT to take possession
of the domain at GoDaddy if you intend to transfer it out

Instead, get the Auth Code, make sure the domain is
Unlocked and then transfer it out to your Registrar of choice.

One good thing GoDaddy does that many Registrars don't
is allowing transfers out to be expedited.

 

[labrocca]

the 60 days transfer policy after updating or changing info... is one of the best policies they implemented ...

The policy is against the rules of ICANN. Whether you like it or consider it a security feature is not important. They are not suppose to do it.

always remember that they are the biggest registrar ... each day many domains transferred in and out.

And yet this policy makes it much more difficult to transfer out. Domains get stolen at GD all the time. GD often has issues returning domains to the owner so what does this transfer-out lock really do? It allows GD to collect more registration fees as often domains are sold in their last 60 days of registration.

GD was already warned once to change their policy. They did and then they loop-holed the policy immediately with another method.

http://www.icann.org/announcements/advisory-03apr08.htm
One year ago ICANN says that.

2. A registrant change to Whois information is not a valid basis for denying a transfer request.

Now that's not a change in ICANN policy..that's ALWAYS been their policy but they did this in response to complaints specifically about Godaddy.

http://forums.nodaddy.com/index.php?action=printpage;topic=215.0

That week godaddy did make a change but only in the way you navigated a whois change. They added a requirement to click an opt-in agreement not to transfer out for 60 days. You can't whois change without agreeing to their policy which is against the very clearly written ICANN rules.

Still think Godaddy is great?

 

[tech4]

Receive a reply from godaddy support:

Thank you for contacting support. On 3/30/2009 1:06:24 PM the domain's registrant contact was updated.

When you make a change to the Registered Name Holder you expressly and voluntarily agree not to transfer your name for sixty days. I didn't make any changes, the domain was pushed to me by sedo, and I did not voluntarily agree to anything. !!!

GoDaddy.com, Inc. takes domain security very seriously. Domain hijackings frequently occur right after a change to the Registered Name Holder. If we were to allow these hijacked domain names to immediately transfer to another registrar, we would not be protecting our customer.

You may continue the transfer on 5/29/2009 11:06:07 AM provided that the transfer is in accordance with the agreement above.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please contact us if you need further assistance.

Sincerely,

William M.
Online Support Technician

 

[JoshuaPz]

GoDaddy won't break the transfer lock if you e-mail [email protected], no matter how persistent or compeliing you are. You MUST either call in and speak with a supervisor or route the request through an executive account manager.