The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Monday ordered embattled domain registrar RegisterFly to hand over immediately to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers current and accurate data for all of the domain names it registered on behalf of consumers, including domains registered through RegisterFly's privacy protection proxy service, ProtectFly.
Under a temporary restraining order issued by the Hon. Manuel L. Real, the data must be "current, complete, and reflect all registration transfers," and it must be updated weekly.
In addition, "RegisterFly and all persons or entities in active concert with or under common control, are enjoined immediately from taking any actions to interfere with ICANN's rights to inspect and audit all of RegisterFly's registration data…RegisterFly must make its books and records, including the data, immediately available for audit by ICANN," according to the TRO.
The court decision is the latest in a series of troubles besetting RegisterFly: During the first week in March, a U.S. District Court resolved a vitriolic dispute between RegisterFly's owners, and on March 31 the company was de-accredited as a registrar by ICANN following nearly two years of customer complaints about mismanagement and fraud.
Next up in the continuing saga: The court has set a preliminary injunction hearing for April 26. If ICANN prevails, the force and effect of the TRO could be extended indefinitely.
ICANN also seeks legal redress from the company for breach of contract, among other things.
