.Kz Registry Clarifies Position On Nameservers

The .kz registry (Kazakhstan) recently contacted domain registrants informing them that they needed to host their domains “in country”.

They have since clarified that the rules will only apply to new registrations and not to existing domains. (via MailClub)

Seemingly this is their idea of how to develop their country’s internet industry and infrastructure!

Here’s their more recent announcement:

Kazakhstan Association of IT companies (.KZ domain administrator) in pursuance of several requests informs that according to new Rules for Registration, Use and Allocation of Domain Space in the Republic of Kazakhstan Segment of the Internet dated as of September 7, 2010 there is a requirement that presupposes all .kz traffic is hosted on equipment located within the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is aimed at stimulation of the development of Kazakhstan Internet-resources.

Meanwhile, in the preparation and discussion of the Rules it was agreed that a principle of non- retrospective law would be observed, which means that all domain names, registered before the enactment of the Rules, would not comply with them.

The Order of the Ministry of Communication and Information of September 7, 2010 clarifies that “domain names registered before the enactment of the present Order are not subject to re-registration and shall operate until the date of expiry”. Unfortunately, KazNIC operators misinterpreted the meaning of expiration date, assuming the procedure of annual fee for prolongation of registration and, respectively, misinformed the registrants in .kz domain zone.

Herewith, the Kazakhstan Association informs the registrants and registrators that the requirement to locate the servers of .kz domain Internet-resources within the country shall not apply to those registered before the enactment of the new Rules. However, the .kz domain administration will always welcome the decision of registrants of .kz zone to host their Internet-resources on servers located within Kazakhstan, which will lead to the development of Kazakhstan segment of Internet.

President of Kazakhstan Association of IT-companies,
Administrator of .KZ domain
N. Issin

Astana,
8 June, 2011

(My emphasis added above)

Forcing registrants to use nameservers in Kazakhstan seems like a rather odd and quite extreme way to “encourage” industry and while the “clarification” was issued on June 8th registrants were not informed until June 23rd.

Here’s the updated notification they sent out:

Kazakhstan Network Information Centre (KazNIC) expresses our gratitude for
the long and productive cooperation. We inform you that the notification
dated 30.05.2011 regarding the necessity of modification of the domain name
xxxxxx.kz and providing the server hardware location that hosts the
web site on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was sent to your
email address incorrectly and is not valid. We apologize for any inconvenience
caused in the work.

How many domain registrants will have lost confidence in .kz as a result of this decision?

Are other ccTLD registries going to “encourage” their local internet industry in a similar fashion?

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By Michele Neylon

Michele is founder and managing director of Irish domain registrar and hosting company Blacknight. Michele has been deeply involved in domain and internet policy discussions for more than a decade. He also co-hosts the Technology.ie podcast.

2 comments

  1. This kind of requirement used to be not uncommon in the developing world ccTLDs. I called it the “ISP Full Employment Act,” since it’s obviously geared to steering business to the mafia, er, business interests in the country.

    1. Antony

      What concerns me is that if people are pushing for development of “local” infrastructure at all costs that this kind of thing could happen more and more.

      Some of the discussions in the JAS WG worry me

      Thanks for your commment

      Michele

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