Request for Comments | June 28th 2010

If you have any comments on the proposed policy as detailed below please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Comment period closes July 15th 2010.

Note : Exact figures are not provided as they will vary from ccTLD to ccTLD depending on prices, currency, and volume discounts. Registrars may review the exact prices on their "Pricing and Policy Page" in the UI.

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 This document sets out the proposed changes and harmonization of CX NF TL KI SB GS AF HT MS ccTLD policy on the registration, renewal, expiry and deletion of domain names in zones that are publicly available. Currently each ccTLD / Zone above has different policy in this area ( or has not automated the domain life-cycle). 

2. TERMINOLOGY

2.1 This policy uses the following terms:

a) “Life Cycle” means an automated process at the registry where eligible domain names enter the "Active", "Expired - Suspended", “Expired Pending- Delete” or “Expired - Pending Purge” state.

b) “Domain Drop List” means the authoritative list of domain names that are due to be purged from the registry.

c) “Purge Cycle” means an automated process at the registry where domain names are purged from the registry. The Purge Cycle runs daily, including weekends and public holidays.

3. DOMAIN NAME LICENCE PERIOD

4.1 The standard domain name licence period is one (1) year, registrars may register for any period from one (1) day to five (5) years. Billing is pro-rated accordingly.  A minium fee equal to 45 days registration will be debited from the registrars account for any registration or renewal greater than the Grace and less than 45 days. 

4.2  Registrars may offer a service that allows a registrant to create or alter the expiry date of their domain name to a date that is more than one but less than 5 years from the date of registration.

4. DOMAIN NAME GRACE &  MINUMUM PERIOD

3.1 There is a 24 hour grace period during which a new domain name registration may be deleted, or a renewal cancelled. The registration or renewal fee(s) debited from the registrars account will be refunded to the registrar in full.

By way of example: A domain registered at 2PM on June 15th may be deleted until 2PM on June 16th by the registrar for a full refund. The rational is that this period is sufficient to allow registrars to delete domains registered in error ( typograhical errors, creditcard fraud etc ) but not long enough for a registrant to "domain kite" or register speculative domains, evaluate traffic or engage in other speculative activity at no cost.

Domains deleted durring the grace period will go into a "Pending Delete - Grace" state for 72 hours . They may be restored durring those 72 hours by the registrar. Once restored they may not be deleted again for a full refund even if the second delete is within the 24 hours grace.

3.2 There is a 45 day MIN period -  during this period a domain may be deleted and the registrar will receive a partial refund. The refund is equal to the anual registration less 45 days. By way of example,  if the anual fee is $365 the daily fee would be one (1). If you register a domain and delete it at any point between day 2 ( end of grace )  and day 45 the registrars account will be credited $ 320 ( 365 - 45 ).

5. DOMAIN NAME RENEWAL

5.1 Domain names may be renewed a maximum of 90 calendar days before the expiry date, and 30 calendar days after the expiry date.

5.2 Auto Renew on Transfer and Expiry are "Registrar Preferences",  A registrar may Enable Auto - Renew ( and select for what period). In order for Auto Renew Transactions to complete the Registrar account must be in credit. Domains are NOT Auto renewed by default, and any attempt to Auto-Renew will fail if the registrars account is not in credit. 

6. DOMAIN NAME EXPIRY

6.1 The following procedure applies in the case of domain names that are not renewed on or before the expiry date:

a) at the domain name’s exact expiry date, the domain name will become eligible for expiry:

(i) at the Life Cycle Automation 24 hours AFTER expiry the domain name will transition from “Active" ( or other ) to an “Expired - Suspended” state. Unless renewed it will stay in this state for for 48 hours.  This is depicted in the WHOIS by the status being shown as:

Status = Expired | Suspended

The domain will diverted to a page which advises the domain has expired and provides advice to the registrant on how to contact their registrar to renew.

b) at the Life Cycle Automation 72 hours after expiry the  domain name will transition from “Expired - Suspended” to an “Expired - Pending Delete Redemption Possible” state for 30 days. This is depicted in the WHOIS by the status being shown as:

Status = Expired | Pending Delete Redemption Possible

(ii) the domain name will be removed from the DNS (ie. it will no longer work on the internet or be diverted to a suspended page );

(iii) the domain name can be restored ( redemed )  & updated, restore fees equal to three months registration apply;

(iv) the domain name can be restored then renewed or transferred to another registrar ( a name in pending delete state cannot be transferred until restored);

c) exactly 33 calendar days after it expires , the domain name will become eligible for expired Pending Delete - Purge state:

(i) at the next Life Cycle Automation the domain name will transition from an “Expired | Redemption Possible” state to an “Expired Pending Purge” state.

This is depicted in the WHOIS by the status being shown as:

serverHold (Expired)
serverRenewProhibited (Expired)
serverUpdateProhibited (Expired)

(ii) the domain name will be locked and cannot be updated, renewed or transferred to another registrar;

(iii) the domain name will be published on the Official Domain Drop List;

c) exactly five calendar day after it enters “Expired Pending Purge” state, the domain name will become eligible for purge:

(i) the domain name will be purged from the registry at the next Life Cycle Automation.

7. DOMAIN NAME DELETION

7.1 The following procedure applies in the case of domain names that are deleted at the request of the registrant (known as “client deletes”):

a) at the time of the deletion command by the registrar, the domain name will transition from “Registered” to a “Pending Delete” state. This is depicted in the WHOIS by the status being shown as:

pendingDelete (Client requested delete)

(i) the domain name will be removed from the DNS (ie. it will no longer work on the internet);

(ii) the domain name cannot be updated or transferred;

(iii) the domain name can be undeleted on the registrant’s instruction;

(iv) the domain name will be published on the Domain Drop List ;

b) exactly 30 calendar days after it enters this “Pending Delete” state, the domain name will become eligible for purge:

(i) the domain name can still be undeleted during this time (if the domain name is undeleted, the domain name will be removed from the Domain Drop List);

(ii) the domain name will be purged from the registry at the next Life Cycle Automation.

7.2    The following procedure applies in the case of domain names that are deleted for breach of an Published Policy (known as “policy deletes”):

a) at the time of the deletion command by the registrar, the domain name state will transition from “Registered” to a “Pending Policy Delete” state. This is depicted in the WHOIS by the status being shown as:
pendingDelete (Client requested policy delete)

(i) the domain name will be removed from the DNS (ie. it will no longer work on the internet);

(ii) the domain name cannot be updated or transferred;

(iii) the domain name can be undeleted on instruction;

(iv) the domain name will be published on the Domain Drop List;

b) exactly 30 calendar days after it enters this “Pending Policy Delete” state, the domain name will become eligible for purge:

(i) the domain name can still be undeleted during this time (if the domain name is undeleted, the domain name will be removed from the Domain Drop List);

(ii) the domain name will be purged from the registry at the next Life Cycle Automation.