New rules for registering .RU and .РФ domains: a ban on auctions and problematic domains being released
A project published a few days agoRules for registering domain names in the .RU and .РФ domainssparked intense debate among domain market participants. These rules have led to serious debate regarding the future of the domain industry. Market participants have identified a number of problematic aspects in the new rules.
In particular, experts from the law firm "Yustina" published their own report, commissioned by the registrar Hosting Community.
Experts warn that if the new rules are adopted, they could be declared invalid, primarily because the Coordination Center for the National Internet Domain violates antitrust laws in these rules, creating an advantage for a specific group of market participants.
One of the contentious issues in these rules is the conduct of domain auctions. The new rules stipulate that registrars are prohibited from setting different prices for different domain names and registering domains in their own names. Furthermore, if multiple applications are received for a single domain, registration must proceed on a first-come, first-served basis—that is, the first applicant receives the domain.
For expiring domains, registrars may accept applications for them for 30 days after the registration expires. If the agreement is not renewed, the registrar must honor the first application received for the domain.
Lawyers believe the Coordination Center should not impose such restrictions. Such restrictions violate the principle of free enterprise and impose unfavorable conditions on registrars. Furthermore, the Coordination Center abuses its dominant position in the market.
The law firm "Yustina" believes that registrars should set their own prices for their services, except in cases where they violate the country's laws.
As a reminder, last year, Ru-Center was accused of violating the law when conducting auctions for .РФ domains after registering tens of thousands of domains in its own name and then putting them up for auction. Experts believe that the global practice of using auctions to register attractive domains has proven its effectiveness.
Another issue is the suspension of domain delegation. The Coordination Center is preparing to create a list of public organizations that have the right to demand the suspension of domain delegation. Such actions are possible if the domain is used for phishing, child pornography, and the distribution of viruses.
The authors of the opinion note that such rules will lead to registrars violating their agreements with domain administrators. Registrars should not unilaterally terminate agreements, except in response to requests from law enforcement agencies. Adoption of the new rules means that the Coordination Center will have unlimited powers over domains they do not own or register.
