Registrant type

[mishmash]

One of my registrars (UKreg) doesn't allow me to set the registrant type, the field is always set to "UK Individual". Due to this I've inadvertently registered a couple of domains with the registrant being a UK Limited Company, but the registrant type being "UK Individual", and made other registrations where the registrant isn't an UK individual.

Ukreg also don't let me change from having opted to have my address omitted from the WHOIS service - when a domain becomes used commercially.

Does this matter?
Do I need to stop using Ukreg?

If it does, or might matter in the future, surely Nominet ought to insist their registrars allow end users to edit their details.

 

[Admin]

Yes it does matter, if someone complained about your WHOIS records Nominet would change it.

Have you emailed them asking how you can correct things?

 

[Jac]

Admin is quite correct

One of my registrars (UKreg) doesn't allow me to set the registrant type, the field is always set to "UK Individual". Due to this I've inadvertently registered a couple of domains with the registrant being a UK Limited Company, but the registrant type being "UK Individual", and made other registrations where the registrant isn't an UK individual.

Ukreg also don't let me change from having opted to have my address omitted from the WHOIS service - when a domain becomes used commercially.

Does this matter?
Do I need to stop using Ukreg?

If it does, or might matter in the future, surely Nominet ought to insist their registrars allow end users to edit their details.

Admin is quite correct. Each individual tag holder should provide a list of all registrant types on their web forms. If they don't they should be made aware of it. Alternatively email [email protected] (Operations Director) and they will ask the tag holder to provide all options for registrant types.

That aside, each registrant gets a letter of confirmation which includes a unique password which allows them to access Registrants Online. They can then change all contact details including the registrant type. The only field they cannot change is the actual registrant field.

Regards
James Conaghan
[PAB Member]

 

[mishmash]

Each individual tag holder should provide a list of all registrant types on their web forms.

Do you have a link to Nominet policy on that - which I can quote when writing to UKreg? If they don't have a formal policy on it then I think it would be a useful one to have so that registrants can easily enter the correct information when registering domains.

I have emailed UK reg on a number of occasions, including when trying to change the opt-out of personal address information appearing in the whois, they don't provide an option to do this on their control panel, and didn't exceute the change when requested by email. I have not yet requested a registrant type change - I've only just noticed that they didn't have a field for it.

They did inform me that they would be upgrading their control panel early this year and they would forward my suggestions.

They do have "Company Name" as a required field for all contacts.

 

[Jac]

Do you have a link to Nominet policy on that - which I can quote when writing to UKreg? If they don't have a formal policy on it then I think it would be a useful one to have so that registrants can easily enter the correct information when registering domains.

I have emailed UK reg on a number of occasions, including when trying to change the opt-out of personal address information appearing in the whois, they don't provide an option to do this on their control panel, and didn't exceute the change when requested by email. I have not yet requested a registrant type change - I've only just noticed that they didn't have a field for it.

They did inform me that they would be upgrading their control panel early this year and they would forward my suggestions.

They do have "Company Name" as a required field for all contacts.

Mmmmm.... I just noticed there actually doesn't seem to be a formal policy for this one except where Nominet "encourages" tag holders to populate the registrant type field. http://www.nominet.org.uk/tag/auto/regtype/

I'll speak to Nominet about this tomorrow and get back to you. I am a bit surprised there isn't something a tad stronger in the Tag Holder Agreement because Nominet has always been quite adamant that all fields must be filled in correctly.

Regards
James Conaghan
[PAB Member]

 

[Jac]

Further to my last post. I spoke to Lesley Cowley, CEO, and she said the following:

The registrant type field is currently not mandatory. However, we do encourage all tag holders to populate this field because it helps us to identify the registrant correctly, and in the case of consumers, offer the relevant protections under the Data Protection and Distance Selling legislation.

However, leaving this field blank is very different to incorrectly categorising every registrant as a consumer. In addition the Tag Holder Agreement requires the tag holder to "amend details on the Register Database promptly on receiving a request to do so from the Registrant" (para 1.7). This would include the reg-type field.

Lesley also said it would be unacceptable for a tag holder to refuse to correct this information if asked. So if you have a problem in this respect please email [email protected] (Operations Director) and make a complaint against the specific tag holder.

I hope the above helps clarify things.

Regards
James Conaghan
[PAB Member]

 

[mishmash]

So if you have a problem in this respect please email [email protected] (Operations Director) and make a complaint against the specific tag holder.

I wrote to the operations director on the 19th of August 2006, this email is below:

Eleanor Bradley,

I have been advised to write to you regarding problems which I have with my registrar UKReg (Operated by Fasthosts).

I find it impossible to keep my domain's registration information up to date and accurate via them because:

1. They do not allow setting of the "Registrant Type" field in their control panel either during registration or subsequently.

2. They do not allow alteration of the opt out status for personal information in their control panel for registered domains. (They do allow it to be set on registration)

3. They have failed to act on a number of support emails which I have sent them asking for Registrant-Type and opt out changes to be made.

I raised the opt-out problem with UKReg first in January 2005, I received a reply on the 12th January 2005 saying: " We will be upgrading the control panel in the early part of the year but I am unable to comment on that being one of the upgrades, but I will forward your suggestion."

I have not noticed any upgrading of their control panel since that time.

This problem with Ukreg has been raised on
http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/nominet-general-information/7686-registrant-type.html

You can find many more people with similar problems with UKREG by Googling terms such as UKReg support:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/archive/index.php/t-50733-p-1.html
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=22396

I am aware of Nominet's "Registrants Online" service - however the existence of this service does not in my opinion remove the need for registrars to execute their duties.

In the case of UKReg - it is a large registrar (you will know how large) - its failure to enable its users to easily keep their whois data accurate devalues Nominet's database.

I look forward to your reply,

I recieved a holding reply from an assistant to the Operations director on 22 August 2006

Thank you for your email regarding the problems you have been experiencing
with UKReg. The Director of Operations is currently looking into the
situation and you can expect to receive a full response shortly.

On the 5th of September, I recieved the below reply from the director of operations at Nominet:

Thank you for your email regarding the problems that you have been
experiencing with UKReg/ Fasthosts. Please also accept my apologies for
the delay in providing a response.

Under the terms of the Tag holder Agreement all registrars should "amend
details on the Register Database promptly on receiving a request to do so
from the Registrant". While it is not necessary for Fasthosts to provide
this facility via a control panel this service should be available to
their customers by some means.

I would be happy to try to contact Fasthosts to determine whether this
matter can be resolved. Can you confirm that I can send details of your
complaint to Fasthosts in order to take this forward?

***
Removed irelevant comments on a specific domain for which I am the registrant.
***

Finally, if you are not happy with the service that you are receiving from
your registrar you always have the option to move your domain name to an
alternative provider. Fasthosts will be able to make this change for you.
Alternatively we can make this change on your behalf. However, we do
charge a £15 (+VAT) administrative fee. If you would like further details,
please see http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/maintain/changeagent/.

I have replied to the above, with a copy of my correspondence with UKreg, including support ticket request IDs.

I also gave the requested permission for the OD to use me as an example when pursuing this:

I understand that a control panel is not required, and made it clear in point 3 of my initial email to you that my requests for changes made via email support ticket to UKReg were not being acted on. I have included an example message below, should you wish to follow up on it I am happy for you you to quote my support requests to them as an example of requests they ought to act on. I would prefer you to use this as an example and seek an improvement in their procedures for all customers rather than to simply get my support ticked acted upon. I hope you will be able to clearly see that UKReg are in breech of the Tag holder agreement.

I lastly noted that the OD had not commented on the "incorrectly categorising every registrant as a consumer" problem:

I note you have not commented on my first point:
>> 1. They do not allow setting of the "Registrant Type" field in their control
>> panel either during registration or subsequently.

This makes it impossible for many registrants to ensure their details are correct from the point of registration.

 

[mishmash]

Exactly a year on, UKREG/Fasthosts have updated their control pannel, but have still not provided a mechanism for the Registrant-Type field to either be set to anything other than "UK Individual" either during or after registration.

There is also no option to change the whois-optout status of a domain, and an email request has not been acted upon.

I am still interested to find out why Nominet allow major registrars to behave like this, and I have again sent an email to the Operations Director to try and find out.

 

[stevebrowne]

They will update to LTD if you email support.

 

[rob]

This was posted in 2006, it is now 2009 and still a problem it seems!

Registering domains as company in UKReg...any ideas? - Affiliate Marketing

 

[ian]

Yep, as per my thread above, I'm experiencing a similar problem, I even went to the lengthy process of creating a new account with all my company details to avoid this problem, yet when registering a domain last night, it still put me (personally) as the registrar and UK individual.

Fashosts claim that you can just add a business in the address book, which of course doesn't resolve the problem, plus I've already provided this information as my primary address.

I have emailed Nominet to ask if they would be so kind as to adjust for me FOC. They have afterall got my details, they all match including email address etc, it's just the registrar name and status!

It seems from reviewing the control panel in UKReg that the only solution is the put your business name as the first name and surname, i.e. (first name) Mybusiness (surname) Ltd but that's a bit of a farce.

Does anyone have a solution for this, or have UKReg really not moved on since years ago?

 

[Skinner]

JAC nominet are toothless to enforce this 'unacceptable' for them not to correct something.

I have complained to nominet about 123-reg's unwillingness to actually even register a domain I have paid for and entered into a contract for, nor even to correct that they registered the same domain to someone else 3 days after me.

They maybe able to twist some of the smaller tag holders arms up their back on here, but UKReg, 1and1 and 123 and the likes of will do what they damned well please and nominet will sit there and take it.