Is GoDaddy Stalling on Domain Name Transfers?
By Gilbert Falso :: 1:24 PM
Despite GoDaddy dropping support for SOPA late last week, many domain holders and other domain registrars are accusing the domain giant of standing in the way of domains being transferred out of their system.
Another registrar, NameCheap, minced no words in a blog post, saying that GoDaddy has been “thwarting efforts to transfer domains away from them.”
“GoDaddy appears to be returning incomplete WHOIS information to Namecheap, delaying the transfer process. This practice is against ICANN rules,” the company continued on their blog.
GoDaddy then released a statement saying that the delays were customary, and “part of normal rate limiting – in place to prevent abuse.”
Many former GoDaddy customers who transferred or attempted to transfer their domains away over the past few days have been reporting that GoDaddy representatives have been calling them to explain that their stance on SOPA has shifted, and are asking them to reconsider the transfer.
Meanwhile, registrars like NameCheap are taking advantage of the bad position that GoDaddy is in, by offering deals, sales and other incentives to capture the transfer traffic. NameCheap has designated December 29th as “Move Your Domain Day,” and is offering to donate $1 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation for every transfer it receives.
“We’re proud to have the Electronic Frontier Foundation supporting this important initiative, and are confident that our customers can help us raise a significant sum to help continue the fight against SOPA, PROTECT-IP, and other overbroad and ill-considered legislation,†Namecheap’s CEO Richard Kirkendall said on the company’s blog.
In addition to NameCheap’s deal, much of the internet community has embraced December 29th as the day to move domains, in a campaign started by Reddit user selfprodigy.