Domain name locking - Transfer Prohibited[Link]

It is possible to lock a domain name so a transfer is no longer possible. By locking a domain name for transfer, the registrant will not receive unsolicited transfer requests and the domain will remain with the current registrant. Of course, the registrant can’t transfer the domain name either.

The registrar undertakes to solely lock a domain name using the transfer lock function at the registrant’s request. The registrar may set this as a default function for all domain names it manages provided that the registrant is able to deactivate this locking mechanism easily and autonomously. DNS Belgium reserves the right to pass on any costs it incurs for the deactivation of the transfer lock function to the defaulting registrar.

What safety measures have we built in to prevent abuse?

  • Any registrar can ‘lock’ a domain name in his portfolio. If the registrar sets this as a default function, the registrant must be able to deactivate the lock easily and autonomously.

  • If there is an argument as to whether a domain name needs to be locked or not, it is up to the registrar to demonstrate this is the case.

  • If there is any abuse of the system, we will not hesitate to take the necessary steps.

  • Under normal circumstances, DNS Belgium does not communicate with the registrant. However, if the registrant contacts us with a legitimate request (e.g. because a registrar refuses to unlock the domain name), we will not refuse to investigate that request.

We hope the locking feature will be used for positive purposes. In the end, it is an additional service (which you may or may not want to charge for) you can offer your clients. If a registrant asks you to lock his domain name, he will probably want to stay in business with you.

Note

DNS Belgium will not allow abuse of the lock function by registrars or their resellers.

When we receive a complaint about the wrongful use of the lock function, DNS Belgium will:

  1. In the first instance ask the registrar to demonstrate that the locking has been carried out at the request of the registrant.

  2. Require the locking to be reversed within 48 hours if the registrar is unable to present this request from the registrant.

  3. If the registrar does not comply within this timeframe, DNS Belgium will unlock the domain name itself.

DNS Belgium also keeps each registrar updated about how many complaints we receive about the improper locking of domain names. If we notice that we are receiving regular complaints about a particular registrar, DNS Belgium can remove the lock function for that registrar.

We also wish to stress it makes no difference to DNS Belgium whether the domain name was locked by a registrar’s reseller or by the registrar itself. DNS Belgium’s agreement is with its registrars and not with resellers. As a registrar you are responsible for any errors your resellers may make.

There are two flags which determine if a domain name can be transferred: ‘clientTransferProhibited’ and ‘serverTransferProhibited’. The ‘clientTransferProhibited’ flag can be set by the registrar. The ‘serverTransferProhibited’ flag is set by the registry. Both flags are shown to the registrar, otherwise it can be confusing for the registrar to decide if a domain name can be transferred or not. DNS Belgium can disable the ‘clientTransferProhibited’ flag in some circumstances, e.g. abuse by the registrar.