When did this become a policy to send these "welcome" emails to registrants?

I've only just noticed them.

I'm not against against the idea or content in them at all. In fact I think
it is agood idea.

I just would have liked some notice from auDA or my registar that these were
being sent to our registrants as it is always good to communicate to our
customers who they will be receiving information from.

Even though Chris does explain he is from auDA this means nothing to most
small business registrants. I really would have liked the chance to explain
beforehand to my customers that they would be receiving these emails.

----------
From: returns§auda.org.au
Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 20:02:49 +1100
Subject: Introduction to .au Domain Names


Hello

You are receiving this email because you are listed as the registrant
contact for a new 
.au domain name ???????????.com.au.

My name is Chris Disspain and I am the CEO of auDA, the Australian internet
domain name 
regulator. I am writing to you to explain some of the things that auDA does
to safeguard both 
your domain name and your rights as a domain name registrant.

Each domain name in .au is managed by an auDA accredited registrar.
Registrars and their resellers
are bound by a Code of Practice
(http://www.auda.org.au/docs/auda-2002-26.pdf).

In our role as industry regulator, auDA publishes Consumer Alerts and other
information that
may be relevant to you. If you want to ensure that you are kept up to date,
you can subscribe 
to our announcements list at http://www.auda.org.au/list/announce/.

One of the responsibilities you have as a domain name registrant is to
ensure that the contact
information in your domain name record is kept up to date. To check your
information go to 
http://www.ausregistry.com.au and do a Whois search. If you need to make
changes to the 
information then you should contact your registrar.

I hope this information is of use to you. More detailed information can be
found on our web site,
including our online brochure Australian Domain Names - An Overview
at http://www.auda.org.au/docs/auda-overview.pdf.

Please do not reply to this email by using the reply button. If you wish to
contact auDA, please
email info§auda.org.au.

Regards

Chris Disspain
CEO - auDA
info§auda.org.au
www.auda.org.au