Icann axes three registrars

Icann will not be renewing the accreditation of South American Domains, Simply Named and Tahoe Domains

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) has revoked the accreditation of three web registrars for various offences.

The company said that it would not be renewing the accreditation of South American Domains, Simply Named and Tahoe Domains. All three of the firms are based in the US and host between 230 and 300 top-level domains each.

Icann said that South America Domains and its NameFrog service would not be granted renewal due to the absence of a WhoIs directory. The public directory provides information on each domain owner and is mandatory under the Icann Registrar Accreditation Agreement. The company served as registrar for 296 top-level domains.

Both Simply Named and Tahoe Domains stand to lose 298 and 231 top-level domains respectively for failure to provide escrow information and outstanding dues fees. Tahoe Domains was said to owe Icann roughly $2,000 in dues, while Simply Named was said to owe some $30,000 in dues dating back to 2005.

Under Icann rules, the domains controlled by each of the registrars will be available for transfer to third-party registrars. The companies will be able to receive new accreditation after showing compliance with the Registrar Accreditation Agreement.

With less than 900 domains set to change hands in all, the news pales in comparison to last year's high profile shutdown of EstDomains. The controversial Estonian registrar EstDomains lost some 281,000 domains when Icann revoked its accreditation.