ACCC calls for caution in domain name renewals

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission today called for domain name licence holders to exercise caution when renewing their domain name licences. The ACCC has supported .au Domain Administration's (auDA) checklist for licensees renewing their domain names.

"Confidence in domain name licence registration and renewal services is critical to the development of e-Commerce", ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "As competition develops in this sector, business and individuals need to make sure that they understand how the registration system works and how to choose the offer that best suits their needs.

"A number of companies are now offering domain name renewal services in the com.au domain space, which may lead to confusion among consumers. Suppliers of domain name renewal services are warned not to mislead customers as to their need to renew their domain name licence with a particular supplier, as such conduct may breach Part V of the Trade Practices Act."

The ACCC advises that if you are a domain name licence holder, you should:

• be aware you may receive offers or notifications to renew your domain name licence from one or more suppliers, other than your original supplier, wishing to compete for your business, and you have the choice of who you wish to deal with

• carefully check the rates and terms and conditions of the renewal notice and compare this with the current provider of your domain name licence

• not assume that any renewal notice is from your original supplier

• check the credentials of any company who claims an association with a registrar with auDA or the registrar concerned

• not pay the provider of the renewal notice unless you wish to deal with that provider

• be aware that your current supplier may also be providing you with other services such as internet access and email, and that the price of the domain name registration may be bundled with these services. Under these circumstances, you may already be paying for your licence renewal

The ACCC advises domain name licensees to contact auDA, the self regulatory body that governs the .au domain space and sets policy in respect to domain names, for a list of the registrars for each Australian domain.

Background

The administration of the Australian domain name system (.au DNS) is in transition to .au Domain Administration (auDA), but the hierarchy of the .au DNS and the licensing arrangements for domain names remain unchanged.

Australian domain names can only be registered in the lower level domains (eg .com.au, .net.au etc). Each of these domains is operated by a single company or individual (registrar) who presently has sole access to maintaining the particular database of registered domain names in that domain.

However, there is nothing to prevent other companies and individuals from registering domain names with the registrars on consumers' behalf, and many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do this as part of providing their customers with Internet access. Also, at least one registrar has entered into agreements that allow companies and individuals to resell licence renewal services on its behalf.

If you have registered a domain name you must renew the domain name licence every two years, irrespective of who made the original registration. You will normally receive a renewal notice from the original supplier of your domain name licence shortly before the registration is due to expire.