The internet is currently a battleground for the rights to your domain name. Major domain name registration companies are exploiting these rights, affecting your online presence. This article aims to shed light on this issue and help you understand your domain name rights, potentially saving you from losing your domain name and cutting your renewal costs by half.
Until recently, all domain names were registered and managed by a single company, Network Solutions. They held a monopoly over the .COM, .ORG, .NET domains, and had the power to set their prices. Initially, they charged $50 per year (with a two-year minimum), but after facing backlash for overcharging, they reduced the fee to $35 per year.
However, as the internet expanded, so did the problems. Issues with database security, slow customer service, and illegal changes to domain ownerships became rampant. Despite these issues, getting through to Network Solutions was a nightmare.
A few years ago, the government intervened due to public complaints and broke up the monopoly. This allowed the public to choose who would manage their domain name. Other companies were allowed to manage new domain name registrations and renewals after passing a rigorous background check and paying a hefty fee.
This ruling allowed our company, DomainNameVault.com, to manage domain information for our clients and set our own prices. We charge only $19.95 per year for all extensions, a significant reduction from Network Solutions' fees.
After the breakup, Network Solutions was sold to VeriSign Corp., a large conglomerate. Their policies have since degraded, resorting to questionable legal tactics to retain their clients. They filed a complaint with ICANN, the official ruling body over domain names, accusing competitors of "slamming" and stealing domain name management against the public's will.
However, it's important to note that while "slamming" may occur in the industry, our partner Tucows and Register.com are not involved in such practices. Network Solutions' complaint was based on a survey they conducted, which was misleading and caused fear and confusion among domain name owners.
To prevent clients from transferring their domain names, Network Solutions has developed several questionable techniques. They delay the renewal process until the name is close to expiration, then legally lock up the domain to prevent you from transferring it away from their control.
You have the right to choose who manages your domain name in the master database. You can reduce your domain name's yearly cost by 50% by renewing at least a month before the expiration date. If your domain expires in a week, it's too late to transfer. You can pay Network Solutions for one year only, then choose a new registrar and move your domain name management.
At DomainNameVault.com, we offer unique security measures, including a human firewall. All our registrations and renewals are hand-processed by a live person, preventing hackers from gaining control of your domain through automatic processing. We provide real email responses to your domain problems within 24 hours and are available by phone between 1 and 5 P.M. EST.
Whether you choose to renew with us or one of our competitors, it's crucial to act now and take control of your domain name away from Network Solutions.
