Estdomains is to be terminated by ICANN – effective 12 November 2008
Well, now we know why EstDomains was posting to NANOG, and issuing press releases.
Its not very often that I say that you could knock me over with a feather, but, you could knock me over with a feather.
The RBN blog is the first place I saw the news (edit: it looks like Fergie got the word out first):
http://rbnexploit.blogspot.com/2008/10/rbn-farewell-to-estdomains.html
I quote:
“Be advised that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) for Estdomains, Inc. (Customer No. 919, IANA No. 832) is terminated. Consistent with subsection 5.3.3 of the RAA, this termination is based on your status as President of EstDomains and your credit card fraud, money laundering and document forgery conviction. This termination shall be effective within fifteen calendar days from the date of this letter, on 12 November 2008.“
And….
“The attached Estonia Court records state that you were convicted of credit card fraud, money laundering and document forgery on 6 February 2008. EstDomains’ has submitted official documents to ICANN that state you are the President of EstDomains. Absent receipt by ICANN of any document indicating that you were removed from the position of President, ICANN concludes that you maintained the position of President of EstDomains since the date of your conviction. Estdomains’ RAA is being terminated based on your conviction and your status as President of EstDomains.“
The letter from ICANN to Mr Vladimir Tsastin, President, Estdomains Inc dated 28 October 2008 can be downloaded here:
http://www.icann.org/correspondence/burnette-to-tsastsin-28oct08-en.pdf
I suspect that the door has been left the tiniest bit ajar – what if EstDomains proves that Tsastin has/had been removed as President? Would the decision be reversed?
Be that as it may, I have this overwhelming desire to crack open the nice, cold bottle of Moet Champagne that is sitting in my fridge awaiting a special occasion.