I have a domain registered with 123-reg.co.uk. It was first registered with this registrar on 14th Feb 2002. 2years later, on the 14th February 2004 it was due for renewal, but was left to expire (forgotten about).
On 8th March 2004, I received an invoice from Nominet for £80 + VAT. I obviously don't really want to pay this, as my original invoice from 123-reg was for £6.79.
If I wanted this domain back now, can I simply renew it with 123-reg for £6.79? Or will Nominet still be after me? Why have nominet come onto the scene to charge me so much when 123-reg were only going to charge me £6.79? If I do nothing, how long will it be before the domain is released back onto the free market? Cheers in advance for any enlightenment!
The whois on the domain:
Domain Name:
*******.co.uk
Registrant:
******* *******
*** This Registration has been SUSPENDED ***
Registrant's Agent:
Host Europe Internet Limited [Tag = HOSTEUROPE]
URL: [webfusion.co.uk...]
Relevant Dates:
Registered on: 14-Feb-2002
Renewal Date: 14-Feb-2004
Last updated: 16-Feb-2004
Registration Status:
Renewal required.
The 80 pound invoice is a new "safety net" put in place by Nominet. It's part of their new "positive renewal" policy, which basically helps to ensure that even if people don't receive (or don't act on) the renewal notice from their actual registrar, they still have a chance at retaining their domain name.
Yes, it's more expensive, but it's an extra line of defense - in the old days, your domain would have dropped without you even having the extra *chance* to rescue it.
BTW, if the domain drops and is grabbed by someone else after it's made its way all the way through the positive renewal system, there's probably going to be no recourse i.e. it's just bad luck for you - the new owner will be quite legitimately entitled to it (unless you happen to also hold a trademark on it, in which the usual expensive legal channels could still apply)
The £80.00 fee is there to discourage individuals from holding .UK domains with Nominet directly, as this is both inconvenient and time-consuming for them.
Renewal through your existing host should be possible, but the domain status needs changing from suspended before this can happen - AFAIK, this requires intervention from Nominet directly.
Call 'em quickly, else you run the risk of the domain being dropped and made available for sale.
R.
Good luck but do it NOW!
