Breach notice to Tucows — ICANN sends

Organization sends notice of breach to third largest domain name registrar.

ICANN has sent a notice of breach to Tucows, the third largest domain name registrar.

This breach notice is unusual in that it seems to stem from a dispute over a particular domain name.

As stated by the letter, Tucows is in breach of its registrar accreditation agreement for two reasons:

1. Tucows’ failure to maintain registration data and records pursuant to Section 3.4 of the RAA; and
2. Tucows’ failure to make registration data and records available to ICANN upon reasonable notice, pursuant to Section 3.4 of the RAA.

ICANN asks Tucows to take two steps prior to July 16 to cure the breach:

1. Make registration data and records relating to Tucows’ dealings with the Registry Operator and Registered Name Holder regarding the domain name cybernomics.com for the period between 1 May 2011 to the present available to ICANN, as required under Section 3.4 of the RAA; and

2. Demonstrate to ICANN that Tucows maintains all the required registration data and records relating to its dealings with the Registry Operators and Registered Name Holders for each active Registered Name sponsored by Tucows within each TLD for which it is accredited, as required under Section 3.4 of the RAA.

This is a very intriguing breach notice given the content and the size of the registrar. Most breach notices are for missed payments and not escrowing whois data. In this case the issue seems to stem from a simple matter and I would expect that both ICANN and Tucows had a conversation regarding the issue ahead of the breach notice was sent.

I’ve reached out to Tucows for comment and details. [Update: Tucows declined to comment.]

[Update 10/26/12: ICANN updated its web site to show the breach has been cured.]