Domain Name Anti-Abuse Policy Questions (Registrars)
1. Why did PIR issue this policy?
2. What authority does PIR have to enforce the abuse policy?
3. What affect will this policy have on PIR relationships with registrars?
4. How will PIR communicate information about suspected abuse to registrars?
5. What if PIR makes a mistake and suspends an innocent domain?
6. What procedures will PIR be using to identify abuse?
7. Will this policy deal with alleged violations of trademark or other intellectual property rights?
Why did PIR issue this policy?
This policy is addressing a significant potential harm to Internet users. Abuses that may be prevented include identity theft, harm to children, and an erosion of trust in the Internet by users. PIR is enforcing its terms of service to registrars to prevent abuse across the .ORG domain for the benefit of all users.
What authority does PIR have to enforce the abuse policy?
The Anti-Domain Abuse policy is enacted under the clear, long standing, contractual authority of PIR pursuant to Section 3.6.5 of every .ORG Registry-Registrar Agreement. "PIR reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name(s) on registry lock, hold or similar status, that it deems necessary, in its discretion; (1) to protect the integrity and stability of the registry; (2) to comply with any applicable laws, government rules or requirements, requests of law enforcement, or any dispute resolution process; (3) to avoid any liability, civil or criminal, on the part of PIR, as well as its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, and employees; (4) per the terms of the registration agreement or (5) to correct mistakes made by PIR or any Registrar in connection with a domain name registration. PIR also reserves the right to place upon registry lock, hold or similar status a domain name during resolution of a dispute. "
What affect will this policy have on PIR relationships with registrars?
PIR does not expect any significant effect to current operations with registrars under this policy. This policy is not a change to the registry-registrar relationship. This policy does not place any additional duty on Registrars to take any action.
How will PIR communicate information about suspected abuse to registrars?
In most cases when abuse is suspected, PIR will contact a registrar by phone or email to provide information about the suspected abusive activity. If a registrar fails to take action to resolve what appears to be confirmed abuse, PIR may suspend the domain. . If it appears a website has been hacked or compromised and an innocent registrant's domain is being abused, PIR will ask the registrar to notify the registrant of the problem. Our goal is cooperative action for the benefit of all concerned
What if PIR makes a mistake and suspends an innocent domain?
While PIR is taking steps to ensure a mistake does not occur, we recognize that the rare false-positive may happen. PIR will place domains suspected of abuse on hold and not immediately delete them. This should ensure that in the extremely rare case that an innocent domain is suspended, that it can quickly be corrected
What procedures will PIR be using to identify abuse?
PIR has established a variety of methods for tracking domain abuse and for verifying that those domains which are identified are in fact being used in an abusive manner. These methods may include coordination with law enforcement, reports from security vendors, and internal investigation. Once abuse is identified, PIR may notify a registrar and provide information to assist the registrar in resolving the abusive activity. Failure by a registrar to respond to notification may result in actions taken by PIR against the individual domain. This policy does not require a registrar to take action, but merely provides the registrar with a report of abuse.
Will this policy deal with alleged violations of trademark or other intellectual property rights?
This policy is not a replacement for the UDRP. This policy is aimed at illegal and abusive use of domain names and is not a substitute for current remedies to resolve intellectual property disputes involving domain names and websites.
