[registrars] Deletion of all IDN.org domains February 1st 2004:-(

[Robert F. Connelly]

Dear Registrars:

You may wish for me to take this thread to a separate list.

On or about 23 December 2003, PIR announced on their web site their 
intention to delete all idn.org domains which were in the domains they 
migrated from Verisign.  I am told that it was not announced in the form of 
an Email to registrars.  I know that I was advised by telephone just before 
Christmas.  The announcement says that PIR will delete all RACE encoded 
.org domains -- bq--xxxxxxx.org -- on 1 February 2004.   Here is the URL:

         <http://www.pir.org/registrars/registrar_relations/announcements/index_html>http://www.pir.org/registrars/registrar_relations/announcements/index_html 


The Registrars in Japan are justly concerned about such an eventuality.  A 
concerted action by registrars is in the making.  Unfortunately, December 
23rd was a holiday, the Emperor's Birthday, and the 26th was the last day 
of business until 5 January.  It has taken a few days for the realization 
to hit home, but hit it has, and hard!!!

I think I remember that Register.com, Tucows, perhaps eNom and other 
registrars not domiciled in Japan also made registrations during the so 
called "test bed" landrush starting 9 November 2000.  Was Netaka a 
registrar at that time, also?  I think some of you also made registrations 
in Korean and Traditional and Simplified Chinese.  All of these .org 
domains are scheduled for the guillotine in 30 days;-(

Question:  Is this matter of sufficient general concern to the Consistency 
to vet the issue on this List? Or should we create a separate list?

Regards, BobC, speaking with my PSI-Japan, Inc. hat on;-}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It doesn't do any good to run
if you don't start on time!"