.tv .tv and premium domain names.

[Peter]

Today I posted a thread regarding the .la domain names and the possible problems with domain regarded as premium (LINK HERE ).

In the discussion it was brought to my attention by think that .tv domain names had a similar problem.

In case anyone is not aware the following is from the Enom faq regarding .tv and transfers:-

I just noticed the link might not work unless you are logged into your Enom account. Here is the text from the support center:

" Can you transfer a .TV premium domain name to another registrar?
Question


Can I transfer a premium .TV name to another registrar? I'm trying to consolidate all my domains and need to remove the lock.
Answer


As the exclusive registrar for .TV premium domains eNom is bound by the .TV registry restriction that prohibits registrar transfer of these names. Therefore, if a name is considered a premium .TV domain, it is not eligible for registrar transfer and we cannot remove the lock.

Other registrars may offer you a lower renewal rate on premium domains; however, if it has been designated as a premium domain, only eNom can provide you with premium renewal services. Additionally, as the exclusive registrar for .TV premium domains, only eNom is authorized to register premium .TV names on your behalf."

Now the questions that arise from this are numerous for example:-

Who decides what domain names are premium?
What happens if a domain name is deemed premium and they can't renew at their current registrar does it drop or does it transfer to enom?
Can a domain name that is already registered and was not deemed as premium in the past suddenly a couple of years down the line be considered premium?
Why is it necessary for you to use a particular registrar?

What are your current thoughts on this?

Do you agree with the way this is set up

 

[equity78]

Everyone invloved in .tv knows that premiums can only be Purchased through ENOM just like before they could only be purchased through Verisign who owns the DOT TV CORP. ENOM now handles the retail side Premiums can only be purchased through them. Nothing new

 

[Kenny]

Hi equity,

How you doing, bro? What Peter was trying to get at here was the similar circumstances going on at dot LA and looking for comparisons from the TV forum.
Not trying to teach, but learn...

He is basically asking those questions at the bottom.
and
Can you think of any other ext's with the same MO?

Your help in this would be appreciated.

Peace,
Kenny

 

[equity78]

IF a domain is registered say at Godaddy and you do not let it expire then you can keep regging it at a non premium price. Let's say a domain like LCD.tv which I once owned I regged for $30 due to a Verisign error I owned at Godaddy if I let that expire when it went back to the Registry Verisign could have marked it up to PREMIUM since there was no owner and for the One millionth time Verisign owns the DOT TV corp (purchased for $45 million in 2002) so they can do what they like.

Verisign sets pricing as long as you keep it renewed your pricing is fine with a disclaimer that pricing is subject to change on PREMIUM RENEWALS from May 1, 2007 going forward.

CCTLD's are not controlled by ICANN so yes they can do this

 

[Peter]

IF a domain is registered say at Godaddy and you do not let it expire then you can keep regging it at a non premium price. Let's say a domain like LCD.tv which I once owned I regged for $30 due to a Verisign error I owned at Godaddy if I let that expire when it went back to the Registry Verisign could have marked it up to PREMIUM since there was no owner and for the One millionth time Verisign owns the DOT TV corp (purchased for $45 million in 2002) so they can do what they like.

Verisign sets pricing as long as you keep it renewed your pricing is fine with a disclaimer that pricing is subject to change on PREMIUM RENEWALS from May 1, 2007 going forward.

CCTLD's are not controlled by ICANN so yes they can do this

Do you know of any assurance that you CAN keep continuing to renew the domain name with the current registrar without verisign deciding that it is a premium domain name? If it is just something they have done so far without a contract (ie something in writing in a tos when buying the domain) then this can be changed at any time.

Saying that they are not controlled by ICANN so they can do it is in a sense wrong as well. Just because someone is not controlled by ICANN does not mean they can act unethically and leave themselves contractable to rip off the customer/domain owner.

Also in your previous post you claim that people involved in .tv know about this. I would argue that is not necessarily the case. Even if it was does that mean it is ok to do it anyway? Also what about people registering .tv domains for the first time? is it ok to leave them wide open?

 

[equity78]

I am speaking for the people that are regulars here, and yes they do know that.

Secondly no one has been ripped off if you do not like the terms and the landscape of .tv yo uwould be best not regging any .tv's

As for asurances can you give anyone an assurance the sun will rise tomorrow

Yes Verisign can do what they are doing as far as having premium domains and ICANN cannot change their premium pricing policy.

If you have your domain regged somewhere else then Verisign has no control over it it is only if the domain expires and is returned to the registry where a domain can be labeled premium

 

[Peter]

Secondly no one has been ripped off if you do not like the terms and the landscape of .tv yo uwould be best not regging any .tv's

But the point is their terms of service seem to be leaving the potential for customers to be ripped off by the registries.

But I do agree that people should not register a domain under .tv if they do not agree with the terms (as with any other extension). But are people made aware of these terms before regging say at Godaddy or any other registrar?

As for asurances can you give anyone an assurance the sun will rise tomorrow

I was meaning assurances from the registry that domain names currently not classed as premium would not be re-classed premium to suit the registry/enom. If they can't give that assurance what is the procedure do the names drop on expire or can the domain owner transfer to enom?

If you have your domain regged somewhere else then Verisign has no control over it it is only if the domain expires and is returned to the registry where a domain can be labeled premium

And if their policy changes and they start marking currently in use domains as premium what happens?

Registrars need to be transparent about these things.

Just as a side note I have added a poll to this thread to see if people were aware so we can gauge it. I personally voted no as to be honest I do not register .tv domains so were unaware of there TOS.

 

[equity78]

Right you were unaware because you are not involved in .tv, Since I have educated more people on .tv than anyone on the planet, I know that people involved know that there is premium pricing and they can only be regged at VVerisign like before they can only be regged at Verisign.

Verisign is not involved if you own the domain at Godaddy or Moniker they will not be changing pricing there would be no way to if your domain is at MONIKER for example. IF you let it expire it goes back to Verisign "THE REGISTRY" once there "NO ONE OWNS IT So NO ONE GETTING RIPPED OFF"

You may live in an apartment and your rent was locked in, when you move out ( LET DOMAIN EXPIRE) The owner may raise rent when offering the apt for rent to the next potential tenant PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE its their building free to do what they like with their PROPERTY( REGISTRY)

 

[maximum]

Who decides what domain names are premium?
Look at .tv, and how some real doozies slipped past them while many they "called" premium were a :yell:-riot. Who decides? A handfull of self-appointed "experts" half-ass drunk, if you ask me. But, more important, the question should be "Who has the right to decide what names are premium, since domains should be 'open'?"
What happens if a domain name is deemed premium and they can't renew at their current registrar does it drop or does it transfer to enom?
No idea, as have yet to see this actually happen one way or another. Almost sounds like a Verisign monopoly all over again IMHO.
Can a domain name that is already registered and was not deemed as premium in the past suddenly a couple of years down the line be considered premium?
If domainers don't fight, and allow the current issues mentioned to continue, that is exactly what will happen.
Why is it necessary for you to use a particular registrar?
I want ICANN's board to answer that one...sounds almost totally contrary to the reason they broke-up Network Solutions hold as the only .com registry years ago. Other registries trying to (and apparently getting away with, so far) slipping under ICANN's nose to do the exact same thing? First its all names that they consider premiums, next thing you know its all names in that extension :o
What are your current thoughts on this?
Sounds like time to talk to a few lawyers who specializes in monopolies and anti-trust laws, wake-up ICANN off their a**es, embarrass the registries publically by drawing attention to facts most registrants who aren't full time domainers are not aware of (ie: those who only reg one name for their site through these guys and don't know not all registries play this way), and remind all these "authorities" that while most of us may not register the "expensive premiums" that their money is made in numbers and that our numbers in regges are what pad their pockets.

Maximum shuts-up now, and goes off to get a stout drink (190-proof Everclear ), before he has to go registry-hunting.

 

[Peter]

Verisign is not involved if you own the domain at Godaddy or Moniker they will not be changing pricing there would be no way to if your domain is at MONIKER for example. IF you let it expire it goes back to Verisign "THE REGISTRY" once there "NO ONE OWNS IT So NO ONE GETTING RIPPED OFF"

I'm sorry but can you clear up for me how verisign are not involved if the domain is registered anywhere but Enom? If they are the registry then they have ultimate control effectively of all of the .tv domain names regardless of where it is registered.

 

[equity78]

There is no ANTI TRUST Verisign owns the .tv corp and has the right to reserve domains as premium domains, same as some cctlds charge $150 for any domain their right, or like MTLD holding back several premium .mobis.

Guess what if I own something I can charge you what I like you can decide not to pay. Domains should be open ? says who is this a socialist movement?

I guess we go back to French Philosophers "PROPERTY IS THEFT"


Peter Verisign is not going into your Moniker account and classifying a domain premium while you own it

 

[Peter]

Peter Verisign is not going into your Moniker account and classifying a domain premium while you own it

But what is to stop them marking the domain as premium in their database stopping the registrar from renewing it?

 

[equity78]

Only goes to the database if the name expired as a matter of fact www.tv did not even keep whois for .tv regs outside of Verisign

 

[Peter]

so who holds the database of tv domains that are as you say outside of verisign? There has to be a central database somewhere and who controls that? As verisign owns the .tv extension then they must have control somewhere!!

 

[equity78]

Right they have control but they cannot affect a domain being renewed at Moniker the domain has to be back there and they see it and can reclassify it as a premium if they like. I think what you are talking about is Verisign saying to Moniker abcde.tv was renewed on 5/15/07 we reject that renewal and are taking the domain back and classifying it as a premium. There has never been anything happen along those lines and I am pretty sure Moniker or any other registrar would fight that. But what I think is being looked for from you is Verisign give me an IRON CLAD written in stone guarantee on all these policies. IMO I do not believe Versign could even care less I would point out to Verisign all the time here is a LLL.tv at $100 instead of the norm $500 to $750 they said that's a good buy they did not say thank you and raise the price. But its to each their own the people invested in this extension understand it and are comfortable with the extension as it stands, newbies usually aren't because its like oh $500 a year damn. I don't think Verisign could care less about non premium domains so I don't think anyone worried about them telling another Registrar we are taking this domain because they know every registrar that promotes .tv would pull out and they would lose a ton of business then. They are not really looking to sell $50 .tv domains DOT TV overall is very small in the scheme of Verisign sales for 2006 $1.58 Billion