When did Network Solutions first start to register domain names and
when did Network Solutions or any other domain name registration
service first start offering a service that automatically sent domain
name holders a notification that their domain names were going to
expire and further offer an automatic renewal upon the submission of a
completed form?

Hello berko-ga,

Network Solutions first started to register domain names in 1993,
pursuant to its Cooperative Agreement with the National Science
Foundation.  The Cooperative Agreement became effective on January 1,
1993; there was a three-month phase-in period, and then a five-year
operational period commencing April 1, 1993.

"Cooperative Agreement Between NSI and U.S. Government - Effective: 1
January 1993"
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
http://www.icann.org/nsi/coopagmt-01jan93.htm

"Network Solutions 1998 Annual Report" [see page 18 of report, page 2
of PDF file]
VeriSign, Inc.
http://www.verisign.com/corporate/investor/reports/1998/NSAR98f.pdf

In an amendment to the Cooperative Agreement, effective September 14,
1995, Network Solutions started to charge a registration fee and a
maintenance fee, and started to provide notification of maintenance
fee due, at 60, 30, and 15 days prior to the anniversary date of
domain name activation.  (Domain names with annual maintenance fees
due during the three months following implementation of fees had a
grace period of 90 days to pay the fee.)  Payment of the maintenance
fee renewed the domain name for one year.

There are three documents that are part of this amendment to the
Cooperative Agreement.  The document with information on notification
of the maintenance fee is called "Fee for Registration of Domain
Names"; the relevant provisions are in the section on "Charges".

"Amendment 4 to Cooperative Agreement Between NSI and U.S. Government"
(13 September 1995) [incorporating Network Solutions September 13,
1995 letter by reference]
ICANN
http://www.icann.org/nsi/coopagmt-amend4-13sep95.htm

"Re: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 4" [Network
Solutions September 13, 1995 letter, incorporating document "Fee for
Registration of Domain Names" by reference]
base.com: gordoni's page [Gordon Irlam]
http://www.base.com/gordoni/thoughts/dns-control/rs.internic.net/nsf/agreement/amendment4_dg.html

"Fee for Registration of Domain Names"
base.com: gordoni's page [Gordon Irlam]
http://www.base.com/gordoni/thoughts/dns-control/rs.internic.net/nsf/agreement/fee-policy.html

I hope that this information is helpful.  Please let me know if I have
missed anything in your question; I would be happy to correct the
error.

- justaskscott-ga


I used the following search terms, alone or in combinations, on Google
and Google Groups:

"network solutions"
history
"domain name"
renewal
re-registration
"for one year"
"cooperative agreement"
"national science foundation"
"january 1 1993"
"september 14 1995"
"september 13 1995"

---

Request for Answer Clarification by berko-ga on 08 Apr 2003 13:43 PDT

Thank you for your assistance but the last part of my question is
really what I'm looking for "... and when did Network Solutions or any
other domain name registration service first start offering a service
that automatically sent domain name holders a notification that their
domain names were going to
expire and further offer an automatic renewal upon the submission of a
completed form?"  I found some information similar to that which you
found on NSI and when NSI started charging for domain name
registration.  But I have been unable to find anything on the renewal
service, when it was started, and how it worked.

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 08 Apr 2003 13:59 PDT

I think I understand what you are talking about.  I think you are
referring to a situation where a registrant sends in a form, and
Network Solutions (or some other registration service) thereafter
automatically renews the registration each year and debits a credit
card for the required fee.  Is that correct?  I want to make sure
before I do the follow-up research.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by berko-ga on 08 Apr 2003 14:27 PDT

justaskscott-ga

Almost there now - actually, NSI or the domain name service sends the
domain name owner (1) a reminder about of the deadline to renew and
(2) a form to complete and return to NSI.  I guess the form might be a
URL link instead of a document but I'm looking for a document.

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 08 Apr 2003 16:09 PDT

Thanks for being patient with me.  The reminder sounds like the notice
envisioned in the September 1995 document, which would seem to be
automatic (or required in all cases).  The form sounds like it must
have been created to facilitate payment.  I'll see if I can find the
point in time when the first forms were sent out.  Now am I on the
right track?

---

Request for Answer Clarification by berko-ga on 09 Apr 2003 04:08 PDT

justaskscott-ga

You may be right about the Sept. 1995 reference to "renewals."

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 09 Apr 2003 07:06 PDT

Given your last comment, I want to make sure where I stand.  Are you
satisfied with the answer, or do you need me to do any more research?

---

Request for Answer Clarification by berko-ga on 09 Apr 2003 08:22 PDT

Thank you again for your assistance.  But the answer is not complete
per the original posting.  I'm looking for proof as to when did
Network Solutions or some other domain name registration service first
started offering a service that automatically sent domain name holders
a notification that their domain names were going to expire and
further offer an automatic renewal upon the submission of a completed
form.

The reference you listed shows only that NSI was about to start
charging money for renewals:"As described in the enclosed policy
statement, registration charges for new domain names will apply to
domain name applications received on and after 12:01 A.M., Thursday,
September 14, 1995. Renewal charges will apply to all registered
domain names as described in the enclosed Fee for Registration of
Domain Name policy statement."  This does not show when or even if NSI
had a facility to automatically send domain name holders a
notification that their domain names were going to expire and further
offer an automatic renewal upon the submission of a completed form.

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 09 Apr 2003 09:03 PDT

Thank you for the clarification.  I will do some research on this
issue.  I'm not sure whether I will complete it today, but I will
complete it as soon as I can.

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 09 Apr 2003 20:57 PDT

Okay, I think I've got it.  On April 14, 1997, Network Solutions
changed its invoicing procedures for domain names.  The announcement
of this change stated, in relevant part:

"For renewal registrations, an initial invoice will be sent
approximately 30 days prior to the anniversary date - to the Billing
Contact only - via both postal mail and electronic mail.

* * * 

All customers will receive both postal and electronic mail invoices,
regardless of the option selected on the registration template.

* * *

We are also providing a tear-off payment stub that can be
electronically scanned ...."

Internet Archive cache of "New Invoicing Procedure Effective April
14th, Streamlines Process"
InterNIC
http://web.archive.org/web/19970502084733/www.rs.internic.net/announcements/new_pay.html

I hope that this document is sufficient evidence of what you are
looking for.  Please let me know if it is not.


Search terms used on Google and Google Answers:

"maintenance fee" form "network solutions"
"rs.internic.net/templates/pmt-template.txt"

[I also searched on the Internet Archive for:
http://rs.internic.net/announcements/index.html ]

Persistence pays off! justaskscott-ga is the person to handle tough
questions about the history of the WWW.