Just a word of caution for those interested in going to .CM domains, it looks like you may not be able to start using the domains until sometime in 2010.
I noticed on Moniker.com site on the FAQ, where they are accepting pre-orders for .CM domains:
“””How will I set name servers?
“”Due to registry restrictions, you will not be able to freely change the name servers until early 2010 as determined by the registry. Until that time, all name server updates will be charged a processing fee, and will only be available via special request.”””
I wrote to Steve Brown, General Manager for NameJet.com the exclusive clearinghouse for all .CM registration who confirmed that this was in fact the registry’s policy.
“”It is true that the registry is charging a fee for nameserver changes to registrars until early 2010. Enom will register names with name-services.com nameservers”
Mr. Brown went on to say that the fee is expected to be nominal, say $10 per change, but the language “only upon special request” seems to indicate to me the process may not be quick or simple.
This also begs the question of why someone who paid $350 for a registration, one of the most expensive on earth, needs to pay another fee just to update their servers?
It certainly indicates to me that .cm registry may not have the infrastructure in place until early next year to run like the typical registry.
For example, the whois for the .cm registry is still not operational.
Also please note that “early 2010” could mean January to some, April or March to others.
So be on notice that once you get your .cm be it for $350 registration fee or after spending hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands on the domain you may not be able to use it until sometime in 2010.
You have been warned.
Nothing like full disclosure by the registrars and registry.
Mike,
Good thing you read that.
I have no interest in owning any.
But some people are spending serious money to own some.
It looks like they are going to be disappointed.
And, a lot can happen in the next 6 to 12 months.
it would be wise use a DNS rediection service too, so that you can change your DNS at will
Enom.com states the following from it’s Dot CM Faqs:
” Due to registry restrictions, .CM domains will have eNom name servers added to them at the time of registration. You will not be able to change the name servers until Early 2010 (as indicated by the registry). Meanwhile, you will be able to adjust your host records as you see fit, e.g. C NAME, A Record, URL Forwarding, TXT. “
Guys
You should also realize that if the registry will not allow direct server changes then you can forget about transfers and sales until they get their act together as well
Quote –
“you can forget about transfers and sales until they get their act together as well”
That is a good point. I didn’t even consider that.
Is .cm registry accountable to Icann?
I would think the whois and dns obstacles would violate Icann rules.
??
“You should also realize that if the registry will not allow direct server changes then you can forget about transfers and sales until they get their act together as well”
HUH ?
Enom push, new owner can keep using default Enom DNS
DUHHH !
.cm has always been like this. Its nice they are going to make a system where you can change the DNS yourself soon. This is one of the reasons why they never fully launched the tld. I had never gotten a .cm before but I had applied for a few in the past at times when It seemed like I could get one. On the application you had to list your nameservers. Back then I listed the DNS servers of XPertDNS.com, which allowed me to make most of the changes neccessray there. Funny thing is I never actually got awarded a .cm on any of my applications, and now that I could go for one and probably get it, I’m not really interested after all that. Whenever I sent in the apps it would cost about double what they are charging now, and I would always be put into some sort of holding/waiting period. After like 6 months of waiting I would usually just get a refund for my fee and give up.
This is not brain surgery. Managing a registry dns operation should not be that difficult.
And, since the domains are going for more than a few dollars, I don’t think the registry is losing money.
If I’m buying a new car, I really don’t want to accept a few flaws like turning on the wiper blades so the head lights turn on.
The registry operations has a major flaw.
What is wrong when the registry is not cooperative?
Ah. Cameroon. What a great place to do business.
After they sell off all the TM infringing and scummy typo traffic domains for big bucks, they will nationalize all the domains and take them from the registrants.
You can file for a refund with the government of Cameroon. Of course you will have to appear in person and file some papers…
Think it can’t happen?
Good luck with your investment.
Rob
Can’t argue with you there.
Country codes are governed by local law.
Just wrote a piece on what ICANN can and can’t do regarding country codes that you guys should all check out:
http://www.thedomains.com/2009/07/19/icann-has-little-power-on-cctlds/
Your headline is misleading. Just because a fully automated service to change the DNS isn’t in place does not mean you cannot change it. Take a look at .COM.VN for example and how much they charge for DNS update, and it is also not instant. Also .NL charges for DNS updates and many more…
I won’t be bidding on the handful of names I preordered through NameJet. Although I am not a fan of the dotCM extension, I did hope to get a couple of names I could use for my business… now after reading all this, and not being able to get any answers why the auctions haven’t started yet (they were scheduled to start 8-4) I will bow out and let others have the names.