Domain News Snippets
In this week’s Snippets, we look at some recent controversy involving Drop.com.au; more on a potential new drop catcher; two interesting domain complaints; and finally. a very nice sale!
Read more.AU DOMAIN NEWS
Domain News Snippets
Rather than just write a new single subject story each time, Domainer is also going to reintroduce a regular news bulletin of snippets relating to domains in Australia. By regular, this means perhaps twice a week at this stage! We used to do this some time ago.
Todays topics include a revamped expired auction platform at Drop; auDA’s new charges for external review; auDA’s blog link on monetisation; and finally, a solid rumour that there is a new drop catcher in the wings!
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auDA’s New Rules – Amnesty Period?
One of the biggest changes regarding Australian domain names is due to come into force next Monday – 12th April 2020. There are to be new licensing rules that will affect the registration and renewal of Aussie domains.
My experience over 20 years tells me that there are going to be many registrants that wouldn’t have a clue this is happening. Hence the title of this article. I wonder whether the auDA Board and Management have considered a short amnesty period for registrants to get their “house in order”? It would be a wonderful gesture.
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Aussie Aftermarket Sales Booming
There is no question in my mind that the Covid-19 pandemic has inspired aftermarket domain name sales here in Australia – as it has done around the world.
A lot of people who were suddenly faced with no job had the impetus needed to convert that “idea” they had been thinking about for ages into reality. And for that they needed a good domain name.
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auDA’s Cash Cow
An astute member of the Australian domain industry recently pointed out to me that auDA has made a lot of money out of non-complying .org.au domain names over the years.
Since 1st Jan 2018 there have been 23,968 .org.au domain names dropped. Of these about 600 (estimated) are still registered.
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auDA Manager Explains Compliance & Complaints
The process of handling Australian Domain Name complaints is changing on the 12th April – less than one month away. auDA’s Compliance Manager Steph Viljoen did a short online presentation last week on an ICANN Forum. If you are a domain investor or registrant, it is definitely well worth watching.
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auDA Complaints – Prevention Beats Cure!
Many domain investors are reporting a surge in the number of complaints they are receiving via their Registrar/s – or directly from auDA.
An auDA complaint generally stems from someone who wants your domain but does not wish to pay a market value for it. Making a complaint is currently very easy – online process; costs nothing; and can be done anonymously.
As the subject headline suggests, prevention is definitely better than cure! As domain investors, we must try and follow the rules – even if we sometimes disagree.
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Valuable Domains Sold On Expired Auctions!
On Saturday just past, anyone observing the expired auctions at Drop.com.au would have been gobsmacked to see some absolutely premium one-word domain names on their list.
One thing is for certain though. As the sole drop-catcher, Drop had a good payday – and there are some very happy domain investors. Santa came early!
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auDA Needs An Independent Ombudsman
If any affected person in Australia feels aggrieved by a decision of auDA, who can they turn to for an independent assessment and adjudication?
As I wrote back in 2017, the big daddy of regulators (ICANN) has their own Omdudsman. Why not auDA? What better way to offer transparency and accountability? Beats self-assessment hands down!
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Is auDA Practising What It Preaches?
In auDA’s 2020 Annual Report, they affirmed that ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) principles are important to them as an organisation.
In the opinion of our Guest Contributor (Scott Long), auDA are failing their Members when it comes to remuneration transparency and accountability.
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Breaking News – Afilias / auDA
In the latest round of international musical chairs (acquisitions and takeovers), Donuts,Inc has acquired Afilias, Inc. Afilias, Inc is the parent company of the Australian Registry Operator “Afilias Australia”. auDA has issued a statement this morning saying that they have “commenced a formal due diligence process to inform its decision regarding consent”.
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