We need a domain industry watchdog/ombudsman
with teeth. The consumers in domain industry will always be at the mercy of
registrars and registries unless there is a body which can pull them up. So
that such a body is not saddled with unmanageble number of complaints, there should
be three stages to resolve a grievance/issue.1. Any complaint against a registrar
should be addressed to CEO/President of the company in writing after efforts at lower
levels have failed to resolve an issue.
2. If issue is not resolved at the level
of CEO/President, it should be escalated to Registry level. The registries
should have powers (I think they already have such powers) to withdraw the accredition
of registrars.
3. If a registry too fails to resolve an issue or a complainant
is not satisfied with a decision, he or she can escalate it to proposed Ombudsman
who will have final say in the matter and his/her decision will be binding on all
parties concerned.
As the things are registrars and registries can get away with
anything because they don't have to face the consequences. It is high time
domain industry is regulated in the interests of consumers.
Comments are welcome.
Amar