New ICANN Transfers Policy

On November 12th, the new ICANN policy for registrar-to-registrar domain transfers takes affect.
See http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm

The new policy covers registrar transfers for .COM/.NET/.ORG/.BIZ/.INFO domains.
Under the new policy, the "gaining registrar" MUST obtain your permission before intitiating a request to transfer a domain.
Once the gaining registrar initiates a change-of-registrar command, the following will happen:

• if the REGISTRAR-LOCK is enabled for the domain, it will fail and the domain will NOT be transferred.
• otherwise, unless explicitly cancelled by the registrant, the transfer will occur.

Much of the concern over the few days has resulted from a concern that the new policy will make it a lot easier for someone to "hijack" your domain name. We do not believe this to be the case at all, but we want to remind you that keeping registrar-lock enabled for all of your domain names is still the best way to prevent any unauthorized transfer attempts.
To check or set the lock status for your domain name:

1. Login to your easyDNS account at https://members.easyDNS.com
2. Click on the "whois" link to the right of your domain name
3. Look at the bottom of the page to view the status of the registrar lock for your domain
4. If registrar lock is currently "enabled" then your domain is properly locked
5. If however, registrar lock is currently "disabled" , click on the word "lock" and make sure the status changes to "enabled"

**Please note that all newly registered domains with easyDNS have their registrar-lock enabled by default.**
A benefit to the new policy is that it will actually make it easier for registrants to move their domains who were experiencing "lock-in" and unable to do so. (If you have some troublesome domains that you were unable to move to easyDNS before, you will be able to do so from November 12th onwards).
In addition, the new policy also comes with a previously unavailable "transfer-undo" mechanism, which allows improper domain transfers to be reversed.
If you have any questions or concerns about the new policy, please don't hesitate to contact us.