Greetings.
Suppose I own a domain, like toster.md, and I wish to transfer it to a different provider such as namecheap or godaddy.
I have received the transfer code from my existing registrar and completed the transfer process.
The .md zone belongs to MoldData, who was the first to register domain names with this extension.
Now, I am curious about whether MoldData has the power to close my domain if they wished to do so. Is this a possibility?
Furthermore, I am uncertain if the new registrar, for instance Godaddy, will pay MoldData for the domain name and keep some of the money for themselves as intermediaries, or if MoldData is no longer involved with my domain.
Similar to the hierarchical structure of the domain name system, registrars operate in a hierarchy as well. MoldData delegates the top-level domain to GoDaddy .md, who in turn delegates the domain name toster within the domain.md. At the pinnacle of this structure is IANA, which governs the relationship and interactions among all the stakeholders in the system, from the registrars to the end-users.
In case MoldData needs to shut down toster.md for any legitimate reasons, they can send a request to GoDaddy, who are expected to comply without any issues.
MoldData is a registrar that operates within the larger hierarchy of domains, which extends beyond the ICAHN-registrar-user relationship. Often, the zone registry (TLD registry) is overlooked, but it plays a critical role in managing the entire domain zone.
ICAHN governs the rules for domain maintenance, while regional zones like fr, md, de, br, etc., are free to set their own rules. These regional zones often do set their own rules and have their own TLD registry.
The registry responsible for managing your domain zone is register.md, with whom MoldData and GoDaddy both have contracts as registrars. Additionally, upstream providers like GoDaddy can register domains for their resellers.
Sometimes, registrars may use an upstream provider to register domains for their clients instead of registering directly with the registry. For example, enom does not register sg domains independently, and when registering such a domain, the chain becomes: Registrant - enom (registrar) - 1API (upstream provider/registrar) - sg.nic (registry).
When trying to understand who controls a specific domain, it's essential to track which registrar is managing it. For instance, if your toaster.md is registered with MoldData, understanding how GoDaddy manages them will provide insight into whether or not you can switch registrars.
Overall, the domain name system is complex, with numerous players involved, including registrars, registries, upstream providers, and end-users.
The transfer of a domain name between registrars typically involves what is commonly referred to as the 'Registry' and the 'Registrar'. The Registry manages the top-level domain (TLD), which in your case is '.md' run by MoldData. They control the DNS servers for the TLD, keep a master database of domain names, and handle requests regarding the creation, deletion, or modification of domain names.
Domain Registrars, on the other hand, represent individual consumers and businesses looking to register a domain name. They deal with the registry on behalf of these customers to register domain names and handle related administrative tasks.
When you transfer a domain name from one registrar to another, you're essentially changing the company that's providing administrative service for your domain name. However, the basic DNS service for the top-level domain still rests with the Registry, which in this case would be MoldData for '.md' TLD.
As to your question about whether MoldData can "close" your domain, it's not typical for a Registry to close or cancel a domain without cause. This might happen in instances of legal issues, such as trademark disputes or illegal activities. But for the most part, if you're abiding by all the necessary rules, your domain should remain safe.
Now, when it comes to the financial aspects of the domain transfer, the new registrar (like GoDaddy as per your example) would indeed pay MoldData for the domain registration because that's the organization managing the '.md' TLD. This is usually done as an annual fee. The domain registrar may add a markup to the basic fee they pay to the registry - that's essentially how they make money in this business. Overall, MoldData will remain involved with your domain because they control the '.md' TLD, and any changes to your domain, even when done through another registrar, will still involve them.
It's crucial to highlight some of the broader aspects of domain registration to give you a comprehensive understanding:
Control Over Domains: The ultimate authority over any TLD, including .md, rests with the TLD registry, MoldData, in your case. They operate the necessary systems and infrastructure to ensure that domain names under the .md TLD function correctly.
Rules and Guidelines: Registries have the power to set policies controlling how domains under their TLDs are used. These include rules about what characters can be used in domain names, how long they can be, and restrictions on certain types of usage. You would typically be bound to these rules and expectations regardless of your domain registrar.
Registry's Power: While it's technically possible for the registry to suspend or otherwise interfere with a domain, doing so without a clear, defined reason would be very unusual. Common reasons a registry might intervene could include a court order, discovery of illegal activity, blatant abuse of the service, or non-compliance with their rules and policies.
Billing and Fees: In most cases, the cost you pay to the registrar includes the registry fee plus a markup for the registrar's services. The exact pricing can vary between registrars, mainly based on the level of service they provide, additional features, and their brand positioning in the market.
To conclude, while you've transferred your domain to a new registrar, your domain is still at some level connected to MoldData as they are the designated .md TLD registry. It is always recommended to be aware of the domain regulations and guidelines set by the registry to avoid any potential problems.
MoldData, as the registry operator for the.md domain, does have the authority to suspend or close your domain if they deem it necessary, but this is unlikely to happen unless you're violating their policies or causing harm to the global internet community. However, this power is typically exercised in extreme cases, such as spamming or illegal activities.
Regarding the transfer process, when you transfer your domain to a new registrar like GoDaddy, the new registrar will need to pay MoldData a fee for the domain name. This fee is known as the "registry fee" or "registry transfer fee." The new registrar will typically add this fee to your transfer cost, and you'll pay it as part of the transfer process.