Domain Name Wire has reported an account of GoDaddy deleting a domain because of an inaccurate WHOIS record -- see http://domainnamewire.com/2007/02/27/godaddy-deletes-domain-name-for-inaccur... and http://domainnamewire.com/2007/02/28/godaddy-responds-to-deletion-over-inval... Per ICANN Whois Data Reminder Policy the provision of false Whois information can be grounds for cancellation of a domain name registration. In this particular case it's likely that someone badly wanted this domain name. They probably noted an error in the WHOIS record and doubtless sent an email to registrant which bounced; next they back-ordered the domain name. They then notified GoDaddy of a WHOIS Data Reminder Policy violation and when GoDaddy's email to the registrant also bounced GoDaddy in turn acted to cancel the domain name registration. For a mere $18.99 (the back-order price) anyone can apparently use this method to succesfully game ICANN policy in order to steal someone else's domain. This case illustrates a number of flaws in ICANN's current policy. (1) The transmission of a WHOIS correction request should not solely rely upon email. There are many reasons that would account for a registrant non-response to an email including being on vacation or having such a Registrar message caught in a Spam filter. Most of us regard domains as property, as investments... at the very least we should be contacted by postal mail. (2) Registrants should also have the benefit of a redemption grace period under these circumstances instead of an instant cancellation. It is more appropriate to "turn off the lights on the domain" for a period of time than to outright cancel the domain with the initial registrant likely unaware of his impending doom. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com