ICANN corporation has amended Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). New rules concern locking domains that are objects of complaints filed under UDRP. Before the concept of locking wasn’t specified in detail, which allowed cybersquatters to resort to a practice known as “cyberflight”. When the complaint is filed against them, they could easily move to another registrar and continue using it, in theory, indefinitely.
Adopted amendments close this loophole. Now when the registrar receives a notification that the domain is under UDRP scrunity, in two business days registrar has to take measures to avoid transfer, re-registration of the domain or registrant’s change of data. No less important is the fact that neither the complainant, nor the registrar must not notify the registrant about commencement of a trial, more than that, registrars are forbidden to do so. Thus, potential cybersquatter remains in the dark about measures taken against him and loses the possibility to take retaliatory steps.
In case the complaint on the domain within UDRP procedure is rejected, registrar has one business day to remove all restrictions imposed earlier. In fairness it should be noted that many large registrars locked domains under UDRP scrutiny before ICANN’s decision as well. Adopted changes will take effect July 31, 2015.
