Domain Registration Policy

This Policy is effective automatically as of the date and time the client completes a domain registration, transfer or renewal through the Crystal Webhosting portal.

This Domain Registration Policy governs the registration, renewal, transfer or management of domain names through Crystal Webhosting. By registering or renewing a domain through Crystal Webhosting you agree to be bound by this Agreement, applicable registry operator policies, ICANN registrar policies and Crystal Webhosting's general Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

1. Scope & ICANN Compliance

• Registrar Partners: Domain registrations processed through Crystal Webhosting are secured via accredited ICANN registrars.
• Global Standards: All domain registrations are subject to ICANN rules, the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA), Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) or applicable registry operator agreements.
• WHOIS / RDAP Accuracy: Clients must provide accurate or current contact data. In accordance with ICANN mandates, failure to verify contact details or providing inaccurate WHOIS data may result in immediate domain suspension or deactivation by the registrar.
• Official Registry Resources: Registrants may review official governance, rights or responsibilities via the ICANN Registrant Educational Information and ICANN Registrants' Benefits and Responsibilities portals.

2. Client-Owned Domains Registered Under Provider Details

2.1 Beneficial Ownership & Rights

Where a domain name is registered through Crystal Webhosting but lists Crystal Webhosting’s corporate details, officers or placeholders as the registrant, administrative or billing contact of record:

• True Ownership: The client remains the sole beneficial owner of all rights, title or interest in and to the domain name. Crystal Webhosting holds the registration strictly as a custodian, proxy or reseller on the client’s behalf.
• No Provider Claim: Crystal Webhosting explicitly disclaims any ownership, intellectual property rights or proprietary claim to the domain name.

2.2 Client Obligations & Indemnification

• Accurate Information: The client warrants that all data, trademarks or contact information provided to Crystal Webhosting for the domain registration are accurate, current or lawful.
• Expanded Indemnity: The client agrees to indemnify, defend or hold harmless Crystal Webhosting, its directors, employees or partners from any third-party claims, legal disputes, trademark controversies, cybersecurity violations, phishing activities, malware hosting, copyright infringement or violations of Crystal Webhosting's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) arising out of the registration, ownership or use of the domain.

2.3 Domain Transfer, Release Protocol & Fee Terms

• Right to Transfer: The client maintains the absolute right to request a transfer of the domain name away from Crystal Webhosting to their own independent registrar or direct account at any time.
• Release Conditions & ICANN Exceptions: Crystal Webhosting agrees to unlock the domain, provide transfer authorization codes (EPP/auth codes) or remove proxy contact details within 3 business days of receiving a valid transfer request, provided that:
  • The client's hosting/domain account is in good standing with no outstanding financial balances directly related to domain registration, renewal or redemption services.
  • There are no active legal disputes, court orders or fraud investigations freezing the domain.
  • ICANN Mandated Locks: The transfer is not restricted by mandatory ICANN regulations, such as the 60-day inter-registrar transfer lock following an initial registration or a formal change of registrant details.
• Administrative Fees: Crystal Webhosting reserves the right to charge standard or published administrative fees for complex manual interventions, paper-based transfers or out-of-band account recovery requests.

2.4 Abandonment, Expiration & Aftermarket Auctions

If a client’s hosting account or domain management agreement is terminated, or if the client fails to renew the domain in accordance with the standard expiration lifecycle, the domain will automatically proceed through standard upstream registrar and registry expiration, lapse or redemption processes following ICANN grace periods, after reasonable commercial efforts are made to notify the client using the last-known contact details.

CRITICAL NOTICE ON EXPIRED DOMAIN AUCTIONS:

Clients acknowledge that upstream registry partners or aftermarket platforms may acquire, bid on or auction expired domains prior to the completion of the standard Redemption Grace Period. Crystal Webhosting has zero control over upstream auction timelines and accepts no liability for permanent domain loss if a client fails to renew prior to the exact expiration date.

2.5 Proxy Disclosure, Abuse & Suspension Rights

• Identity Disclosure: As a custodian/proxy of record under Section 2.1, Crystal Webhosting reserves the right to reveal the client's true identity, contact data or hosting records to upstream registries, legal authorities or complainants in connection with valid court orders, law enforcement inquiries or formal UDRP/legal dispute proceedings.
• Abuse & Malware Control: Crystal Webhosting and our upstream registrar partners retain the absolute right to immediately lock, suspend or disable any domain name flagged for severe network abuse, spam, phishing, malware distribution, intellectual property infringement or illegal content in accordance with ICANN regulations and our Acceptable Use Policy.

3. Chronological 5-Phase Domain Expiration Lifecycle

Crystal Webhosting enforces and guides clients through the standard ICANN domain expiration lifecycle as follows (Note: Exact expiration or grace timelines can vary slightly depending on registry operator rules for specific top-level domains [TLDs]):

Phase 1: Expiration Date (Day 0)

• The domain name expires at 00:00 UTC on the designated expiration date.
• Services tied to the domain (such as website loading or email routing) may experience immediate disruption or suspension.
• Action Required: Renew immediately via the client portal at standard renewal rates. No penalty fees apply during Phase 1.

Phase 2: Renewal Grace Period (Days 1 to 30)

• The domain is deactivated, but remains registered to the client. Registry operators typically allow a grace period where the domain can still be renewed at standard rates.
• Crystal Webhosting sends automated reminder notices via email or client portal alerts.
• Aftermarket Risk Notice: Delayed renewals during this window risk exposure to upstream registrar aftermarket auctions.

Phase 3: Redemption Grace Period / RGP (Days 30-40)

• The domain is officially removed from the active zone file and enters the Registry Redemption Grace Period (RGP).
• The domain cannot be renewed directly through standard portal checkout.
• Recovery: The client may recover the domain during this window by paying the standard renewal fee plus a registry/registrar redemption restore fee. Note: Redemption or restore fees are subject to change without prior notice based on pricing adjustments enforced by upstream registry operators or ICANN-accredited registrars.

Phase 4: Pending Delete (Days 41 to 45)

• The domain enters a strict 5-day pending delete state managed directly by the central registry.
• It cannot be renewed, restored or purchased by anyone during this phase.

Phase 5: Public Release / Drop (Day 50 onwards)

• The domain is released back to the global registry pool and is made available for public registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Crystal Webhosting holds no obligation or ability to recover dropped domains once public release occurs.

4. Dispute Resolution & Amendments

Dispute Resolution & Friendly Support: We always aim to resolve any billing, transfer or account questions directly through our support team. In the rare event that a formal legal dispute arises regarding your domain services, it can be resolved via binding arbitration to ensure a fair and efficient process.

UDRP & Third-Party Domain Disputes: Domain-identity, trademark or cybersquatting disputes involving third parties are subject exclusively to ICANN's Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) or applicable registry dispute-resolution policies and shall be administered by approved dispute-resolution providers.

• Incorporation of Master Terms: This Agreement is supplementary to Crystal Webhosting's general Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. General liability caps, warranty disclaimers, force majeure protections, data privacy safeguards or provider-initiated termination terms outlined in the master Terms of Service apply fully to all domain services.
• Right to Amend: Crystal Webhosting reserves the right to amend, modify or update this Domain Registration Agreement at any time at its sole discretion.
• Notice of Changes: Material changes to this Agreement will be communicated to clients via email notice or client portal alerts at least 30 days prior to their effective date.
• Acceptance: Continued registration, maintenance or renewal of domain names through Crystal Webhosting after the effective date of any amendment constitutes formal acceptance of the revised Agreement.