Domains panic blamed on partnership strife
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     19 February 2007
Domains/ Internet & e-Commerce

The future looks bleak for two million domain names after the apparent systemic failure of a noted registrar, it emerged today (19 February). All URLs controlled by RegisterFly.com, an ICANN-backed entity, have been locked down pending the resolution of internal problems, which industry observers have linked to a partnership dispute.

Aiming to keep the relevant domain holders informed, protest site Registerflies.com has displayed documents dated 12 February pertaining to a civil court action launched by parent company, Unifiednames, and senior partner, John Naruszewicz, against fellow partner, Kevin Medina. It is thought that the dysfunction has stemmed from Medina’s removal as president and CEO last week.

A message on RegisterFly’s homepage argues that it runs a no-frills, cost-effective service dedicated to customer satisfaction: ‘We do not believe in spending millions of dollars on ineffective advertising or being lavish. We have built a profitable, thriving business and owe it all to our customers. Our approach is to keep our eye on the bottom line while continuing to develop and offer new products and services to our customers, in other words, value.’

However, the registrar’s clients are furious about being unable to access and update their domains. Many have even posted comments on RegisterFlies, slamming the organisation for its administrative failings:

‘These guys are horrible,’ says user Adventurepack, claiming that RegisterFly quadruple charged his credit card without authorisation and left him, ‘trying for weeks to get hold of them by email and phone (one time I called on their toll free line at 2pm central time and was on hold till I came back the next day at 9am central time). They tried to use a service called Stormpay. What a joke. They try to charge you a $12 fee for returning your money that they wrongfully charged you for in the first place.'