[...] was allegedly bilking its customers by accepting payments for multi-year renewals, and then only renewing the domain names a year at a [...]

[...] Last year Tucows handled a bulk transfer from another de-accredited registrar, Parava. Hopefully this transfer will be easier for Tucows than the last one. [...]

My understanding from speaking with a Moniker rep is, domains are only leased for one year by Verisign, never longer. Moniker only leases for five years, tops. They accept the $$, and pay Verisign annually, only if you keep your setting on “Auto Renew.” If you pay for five years, and turn off “Auto Renew,” it means you want to let the domain go at expiration!

There could be a reason you let the domain go. It could be you found the domain violates someone’s trademark and is a liability, so you let it go . . . The Moniker customer service rep – who was it? I have her name written down someplace – said switching the Auto Renew to “off” means you lost the advance payment you made about that domain.

It stands to reason if any Registrar loses its accreditation and domains are transferred in bulk, or even if domains are transferred in bulk on request, the advance payment is lost, because it’s the Registrar who effects the renewal every year in your behalf, as long as you keep the Auto Renew setting to, “on.” If you turn it to “Off” by mistake, you also lose the advance payment . . .

Therefore it’s a false security to think your domain is safe because it is paid in advance for ten years. This is entirely up to the Registrar, to keep the records straight and effect the renewal annually with Verisign!