Hoo boy - that sounds pretty aggressive.

From its wording the email implies that DOMAIN RESELLER has done something
really bad, and that MIT has come to the registrant's rescue just in time.
Another implication is that the domain name wasn't safe before, otherwise
why give the assurance?

Or is this what all registrants can expect to receive if the provider they
deal with - their reseller - opts to not to be a reseller for MIT?

If DOMAIN RESELLER did nothing in breach that warranted such action by MIT,
but simply elected not to sign up as an MIT reseller, then MIT's action is
an ominous sign for other businesses that don't necessarily want to be their
resellers.

I have a question - with whom did the registrant elect to do business - MIT
or DOMAIN RESELLER?  If the latter, I see problems with the mailout, because
the registrant has not been given any choice in the matter.

As a reseller, I find MIT's letter very disquieting.


Ron Stark
Business Park Pty Ltd
mail: ronstark§businesspark.com.au
phone: +61 (0)3 9521 0649   fax: +61 (0)3 9521 0485
mob: +61 (0)41 812 9922



-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Hooper [mailto:dave§davehooper.net]
Sent: Thursday, 10 October 2002 9:43 PM
To: dns§lists.auda.org.au
Subject: RE: [DNS] Thanks MelbourneIT


Here is the letter they have emailed out;

*************************************************************



This is an automatically generated message.  Please do not respond to
this message.

If you require assistance, see the 'GETTING HELP' section below.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Com.AU Registrant,

This is an official notice from Melbourne IT, your registrar of record,
regarding your domain name DOMAIN.com.au that has  been managed on your
behalf by DOMAIN RESELLER.

Up until now DOMAIN RESELLER has managed your .com.au domain name using
Melbourne IT's domain name systems.

We are writing to inform you that Melbourne IT has terminated its
Agreement with DOMAIN RESELLER and therefore DOMAIN RESELLER will no
longer be able to manage the maintenance and renewal of your .com.au
domain name using the reseller interface to Melbourne IT's domain name
systems.

There is no need to respond to this notice, but we would like to
reassure you that your domain name is safe, and you do not  need to
worry.  

Melbourne IT will continue to be your .com.au registrar.

For your reference, the domain name records with Melbourne IT as of 10
Oct 2002 are as follows: 
(please keep this information in a safe place)

************************************************************************
**************
Organisation Name:             XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Domain Name:                   DOMAIN.com.au

Your New Domain Name Password:      XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Your New Melbourne IT Registry Key: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Expiry Date:                   XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melbourne IT will send you a reminder notice when your domain name is
due to be renewed. 
************************************************************************
****************

Melbourne IT has been Australia's trusted registrar for over 5 years,
and we will continue to protect your domain name with  the highest
levels of security.

To ensure your domain name is secure and protected Melbourne IT has
changed your Domain Name Password in the central registry (used to
arrange transfers between registrars) and your Melbourne IT Registry Key
(used to access Melbourne IT maintenance functions).  (Please see above
for details) 

MANAGE YOUR DOMAIN NAME
Your Melbourne IT Registry Key may be used to manage your domain name
at:
https://www.melbourneit.com.au/maintenance/?domainname=durand.com.au

GETTING HELP
For more information about how to manage your domain name with Melbourne
IT please visit our 24 hour interactive help centre  at:
http://www.melbourneit.com.au/contacts/support.php

ABOUT THIS NOTICE
If you have any questions about this notice, please read our FAQ's at:
http://www.melbourneit.com.au/help?topicid=86

We wish you continued "Online Business Success".

Regards,

Melbourne IT Ltd
_______________________________________________________________________

Melbourne IT Limited 'Trusted Australian Registrar'
_______________________________________________________________________
ABN         : 21 073 716 793
Trading as  : Internet Names WorldWide (INWW)
              Internet Names Australia (INA)
Email       : info§melbourneit.com.au
Website     : www.melbourneit.com.au
Head Office : Level 2, 120 King Street
              Melbourne  Victoria  Australia  3000
_______________________________________________________________________

*************************************************************



1. Our agreement was not 'terminated by MelbourneIT'. What is auDA going
to do about this misleading email.
2. Does a domain registrar have the right to change a registrants
registry key without the registrant requesting they do so?

Dave Hooper


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