AusRegistry releases Information Paper on Drop Catching

November 7th 2011

On the 5th of September 2011, the policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for the .au domain space, auDA (the .au Domain Administration) approved the recommendations put forward by the Secondary Market Working Group, a group of industry and consumer representatives specifically brought together by auDA to:

• examine the operation of the .au secondary market and identify any points of market failure; and
• provide advice and recommendations to auDA on any actions that should be taken to address any identified market failures.

The recommendations document produced by the Secondary Market Working Group outlines a number of consumer and industry issues providing recommendations on how each should be addressed. This document is available to view at: http://www.auda.org.au/pdf/smwg-final-report.pdf

One of the industry Issues identified in the document (2. Industry Issues, C. Registrar competition) refers to the possible barrier to entry that Drop Catching represents to smaller sized Registrars who do not have the technical proficiency nor means to develop the technical proficiency which would allow them to compete in this market.

As the Registry Operator, AusRegistry is contractually obligated to treat all Registrars equally, and because Drop Catching falls outside the scope of standard Registry practice, it cannot provide individual assistance to Registrars on the intricacies of Drop Catching.

Therefore in the interests of transparency the Secondary Market Working Group recommended that AusRegistry publish a paper for Registrars that provides general information about the practice of drop catching, including specific sections of the Registry Usage Policy that are particularly relevant to drop catching, and the penalties for breach.

It was later concluded that the paper would also serve as an educational piece for Registrants, the internet community and the general public.

It was later concluded that the paper would also serve as an educational piece for Registrants, the internet community and the general public. The Drop Catching paper can be viewed at AR-Drop Catching - Information Paper.pdf

About AusRegistry

AusRegistry is located in Melbourne, Australia. It is the current Registry Operator and wholesale provider for all commercial domain names including .com.au and .net.au and non-commercial domain names, .gov.au and .edu.au. AusRegistry was first awarded the tender in 2002 and holds a Registry License Agreement with the .au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA).

Media Contact:

George Pongas
General Manager Client Services
AusRegistry Pty Ltd
Ph: +61-3-9866-3710
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Website: www.ausregistry.com.au