GNAME.com forbid transferring a domain after expiration

[T-B]

GNAME.com registrar is refusing to allow me to transfer a domain that expired just three days ago unless I first renew it.

When I try to unlock the domain and obtain the authorization code, I receive the following error on the system:
"Sorry, the domain name has expired and cannot be transferred. Please renew it."

I submitted a support ticket and received this official response from a “specialist”:

Hello, generally, a domain can be transferred and the transfer code can be obtained before it expires. If the domain has already expired, it will not be possible to obtain the transfer code for the transfer.

This was after I had already pointed out to them that this practice violates ICANN rules. According to ICANN’s official FAQ:

My domain name has just expired. Can my registrar require me to pay for a renewal before I can transfer the domain name to a new registrar?
No. You have the right to transfer an expired domain. Registrars are not allowed to deny a transfer due to expiration or nonrenewal, (unless you haven't paid for a previous registration period).

Source: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/name-holder-faqs-2017-10-10-en

What to do? They shouldn't get away with this!

 

[MasterOfMyDomains]

@GNAME.COM
You wanna unlock this name and provide the auth code, preferably today?
Mix up some secret sauce and follow icann rules.

 

[jberryhill]

What to do? They shouldn't get away with this!

What @GNAME.COM knows is that the domain delete cycle is a LOT faster than the ICANN compliance cycle. So, you can complain to ICANN, but you are going to lose the name. It's typical of these odd little shithole registrars.

One question is whether you first registered the domain name under a promotion there which required that you keep it there for one renewal.

The other question I always have about this question is why do people do this?

There are zillions of threads on Namepros with people tying themselves in knots over trying to renew a domain name a month after it expired, or trying to transfer it out after expiration. Why? To save a few dollars?

But, sure, absolutely, complain to ICANN about it, since that will cost them more in personnel time to deal with than whatever they gain by playing these stupid games. So you can at least deprive them of the marginal profit. However, if you want to keep the name, posting here or complaining to ICANN won't do that.

And, in the future, if you are going to chase promotional registration rates, do it well in advance of the domain name expiring.

 

[GNAME.COM]

GNAME.com registrar is refusing to allow me to transfer a domain that expired just three days ago unless I first renew it.

When I try to unlock the domain and obtain the authorization code, I receive the following error on the system:
"Sorry, the domain name has expired and cannot be transferred. Please renew it."

I submitted a support ticket and received this official response from a “specialist”:



This was after I had already pointed out to them that this practice violates ICANN rules. According to ICANN’s official FAQ:


Source: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/name-holder-faqs-2017-10-10-en

What to do? They shouldn't get away with this!

Drop us a dm with your domain name. We'll have a check.

 

[jberryhill]

Drop us a dm with your domain name. We'll have a check.

Translation: "We're going to keep doing this to everyone else, but we'll at least get you to shut up."

 

[GNAME.COM]

Translation: "We're going to keep doing this to everyone else, but we'll at least get you to shut up."

Come on You know that's categorically untrue. We're fully compliant with ICANN.

Back to the topic: I've addressed this with the ops team, and we all agree this is unusual and we'd need to know which domain it is so we know what's going on.

Also, we're just not interested in holding domains hostage like this Very uncool.