Dear NSI Business Account and Premier Partner, NSI PAYMENT POLICY ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ There has been some concern and questions about a recent effort by the Network Solutions registrar Business Unit (NSI) to collect payment on delinquent accounts. In an effort to clear up any misunderstanding and to reiterate the NSI payment policy and procedures, we offer the following information. As you know, domain names have an intrinsic value. Individuals who intentionally undermine the registration system by registering domain names without intending to actually use them or pay for them, cause additional process expense and prevent legitimate customers from obtaining those domain names. NSI and our business partners' customers can be confused and frustrated when desired domain names are shown as unavailable even though payment was never received for registering a particular name. Our policy to collect unpaid debt is a measure taken to curtail any further abuse. Further, we are now required as an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) accredited Registrar to only accept registrations that are paid for in advance or that have a "reasonable assurance of payment." A collection agency was retained by NSI to collect unpaid fees for registered domain names. This collection effort is intended to protect the interests of our company and those of our many business partners, and to begin the transition to our new credit policy. The NSI payment policy clearly states that the fee is due and payable upon the completed registration of a domain name. Click here to read the policy online: http://info.networksolutions.com/go/h5/POLICY/ Unfortunately, we did experience some confusion in the initial collection process. Debtors were sent notices by a collection agency retained by NSI for unpaid registered domain names, but in some cases, the referenced domain name indicated in the notice was incorrect. We apologize for any confusion these incorrect notices may have caused you and your customers. We have completed this phase of the initiative and are evaluating the results before continuing any additional outside collection agency efforts. We will inform you in advance of future efforts. We value your business and want to ensure the NSI payment policy is clearly understood so that no future misunderstandings occur. Please refer to the information provided below: 1. NSI now requires credit card pre-payment for domain names registered directly on our web site. 2. The NSI business account contract provides customers with payment model flexibility. The business account partners may choose to be billed directly or to have the invoices sent directly to their customers. In either case, the business account partner is ultimately responsible for payment of all domain names registered through their account at NSI. 3. NSI pays a registry fee for registration of a domain name. NSI, like any other registrar, must pay a nonrefundable fee to the central registry and incurs associated administrative costs. If payment for the registration of a domain name is not received, NSI returns the domain name to inventory and may pursue collection proceedings for the unpaid debt. These payment policies and procedures are in effect and necessary to protect all our interests. Our obligations under our agreement with ICANN are aimed at further securing the domain registration process and discouraging abuse of the system. NSI is in compliance with these obligations and will take every measure to proactively communicate any further news or changes with you. Please contact your Partner Relations Manager or Business Development Executive if you have any further questions. Thank you for your patience and your continued business. IMPORTANT REVENUE REMINDERS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ All partners participating in revenue share programs are reminded to include their CHANNEL ID NUMBER when submitting registrations in order to receive proper credit and payment. Revenue payments for the 1st quarter were sent May 15, 2000. If you have not yet signed the new NSI Partner Agreement, please do so immediately in order to start reaping the revenue rewards and other enhanced partner benefits! Business Account partners can obtain a copy of the new contract after 5/20/00 at: http://info.networksolutions.com/go/h6/BAP/. Premier Partners, please ask your Partner Relations Manager for a copy of the new premier partner agreement. <snip> We value and appreciate your business. If you have any questions about any of these updates, please send us an e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sincerely, Tom van Gorder Vice President, Sales & Business Development Network Solutions, Inc.
