On 30-Nov-07, at 12:23 PM, Bill Silverstein wrote:
I believe that ICANN has the legal ability ability suspend the ability of a registrar to register new domain names -- which may be the big stick needed to get the registrar to clean up its act.
Other registries (country codes specifically) have dealt with the issue in past situations by using optional monetary fines in lieu of de-accreditation. It plays like this. Registrar does something "bad". Registry takes notice and tells Registrar that their contract will be termined, except and unless they pay an optional fine. Usually the fine is substantial enough to make it moderately painful for the registrar, but not substantial enough that deaccreditation is the preferable option. I too believe that ICANN has more tools available to them than they are willing to admit, or assume. Not sure which. -ross