Goldstein Report

Tag: switchplus

  • SWITCH Discontinues Registrar Service For .LI

    SWITCH logoSWITCH, the registry for the .li and .ch ccTLDs, is withdrawing the option for .li (the ccTLD for Liechtenstein) registrants to register .li domain names with them directly as of 14 February 2013. The move means that registrants will need to transfer their .li domain names as of this date to its accredited registrars, or as it calls them, “Partners.”

    Up until now, it has been possible to register .li domain names directly with SWITCH or with one of more than 60 recognised Partners of SWITCH. The change has no impact on .ch (Switzerland) domains. Whether any similar change occurs to .ch domains is in the hands of OFCOM and the Swiss legislator. However SWITCH note they are not aware of any plans in this respect.

    The SWITCH Foundation has taken the decision to discontinue its direct customer business with .li domain names. The current model with SWITCH as a registry and provider is no longer appropriate for the market the organisation believes.

    “SWITCH has successfully built up the direct customer market over the past eight years. And more than 60 recognised Partners of SWITCH now ensure properly functioning competition. SWITCH is thus withdrawing from this market,” adds Andreas Dudler, managing director of SWITCH. This move has been coordinated with the Liechtenstein Office of Communication.

    Leading up to the change, all registrants of .li domains that use SWITCH as their registrar will be informed of the change in writing and will be invited to transfer their domain names to a partner of their choice by 13 February 2013. If customers fail to do anything, their .li domain names will be automatically transferred to switchplus on 14 February 2013. switchplus is a recognised Partner and subsidiary of SWITCH. A subsequent transfer to a different Partner is possible at any time. SWITCH is making sure that all customers are able to select a new service provider and is ensuring the interruption-free operation of .li domain names.

    SWITCH is continuing to act as the registry on behalf of the Office of Communication of the Principality of Liechtenstein and will ensure that .li domain names operate reliably and are available round the clock all over the world. SWITCH will additionally be supporting the more than 60 recognised Partners.

    For more information, see:

  • Swiss Court Upholds SWITCH’s Right To Link To Switchplus

    SWITCH logoThe Swiss Federal Supreme Court has upheld the SWITCH’s right to provide a link to its independent subsidiary switchplus ag.

    An earlier court lower court decision had precluded SWITCH from doing so. SWITCH then lodged an appeal on 22 March 2012 with the Federal Supreme Court against the verdict of the Federal Administrative Court of 13 February 2012. This verdict banned SWITCH from providing a link to its subsidiary switchplus ag on the switch.ch website. SWITCH’s appeal was upheld in its entirety by the Federal Supreme Court on 14 August 2012.

    “With its decision, the Federal Supreme Court is supporting SWITCH’s economic freedom”, explains Andreas Dudler, Managing Director of SWITCH.

    The decision specifies inter alia that it must be possible for SWITCH to provide information on the group website switch.ch not only about its core business for the universities but also on the services of its subsidiary switchplus. With its verdict, the Federal Supreme Court also confirms that SWITCH has not given its subsidiary switchplus an unlawful advantage.

    Switchplus was originally established in response to calls from domain name customers for hosting services, so SWITCH set up its commercial subsidiary switchplus ag in 2009. This company provided services associated with an internet presence – from the registration of the domain name, via web mail and CMS hosting, right through to hosted exchange. SWITCH uses its subsidiary’s profits to support Switzerland’s universities.

    After switchplus ag had been set up, a group of hosting providers prevented the market entry of the subsidiary. The decision taken by the Federal Supreme Court should now have put an end to this longstanding discussion. “We welcome this pioneering decision by the Federal Supreme Court. It confirms that SWITCH has always acted correctly”, says Marco D’Alessandro, media spokesman for SWITCH.