Namecheap to Donate $1 to EFF for Every Domain Transfer on December 29

In an effort “to stand up against SOPA,” Namecheap has pledged to donate $1.00 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation for every inbound domain name transfer initiated on December 29, 2011. The EFF is a San Francisco based non-profit, digital rights organization that protects the rights of Internet users around the world.

Namecheap has been able to capitalize on Go Daddy’s public support and then flip flopping on SOPA. According to Namecheap CEO Rick Kirkendall, between December 22 and December 25, over 31,000 domain names were transferred to Namecheap using SOPA-specific coupon codes. I would bet this number would have been greater had it not been Christmas.

Back in March, Namecheap was able to capitalize on another GoDaddy publicity issue involving a video of the hunting of “problem elephants” by GoDaddy CEO and founder Bob Parsons. Namecheap donated over $30,000 to the Save the Elephants organization as a result of an effort similar to the one planned for December 29.

I think it’s very smart marketing by Namecheap.

The press release announcing the special offer is below:

On December 29th, 2011, domain registrar Namecheap.com will be spearheading a domain transfer initiative known as Move Your Domain Day, prompted by the recent news of its competitor’s support of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

Namecheap has made an official statement on its company blog openly opposing SOPA and will be donating $1 for every domain name transfer made on December 29th to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Shari Steele, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, stated, “EFF is pleased to support Namecheap’s efforts to bring attention to the proposed SOPA legislation and its consequences for Internet users worldwide. With the funds donated from the MoveYourDomainDay effort, EFF will continue to defend your right to free expression in the digital world.”

One of the primary goals of designating December 29th “Move Your Domain Day” is to heighten awareness of the potential dangers of SOPA, a bill that some say may potentially break the Internet as we know it.

The CEO of Namecheap, Richard Kirkendall said, “A free and open Internet is the only option that will continue the legacy of innovation and openess that stands for everything we all value in our modern society. However, if SOPA passes, the rights of every user on the Internet will be trampled, as the bill as proposed infringes on liberties, privacies, and freedoms without due process.”

On Move Your Domain Day, Namecheap will process transfers of any .COM, .NET, .ORG, .INFO, and .BIZ domain from any registrar for the below-cost price of $6.99. For each transfer made on this day, Namecheap will be donating $1 to EFF.

“We’re proud to have the Electronic Frontier Foundation supporting this important initiative, and are confident that our customers can help us raise a significant sum to help continue the fight against SOPA, PROTECT-IP, and other overbroad and ill-considered legislation,” said Kirkendall.

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2. Namecheap Hits 25,000 Transfers Today As I mentioned earlier this week, Namecheap sponsored Move Your Domain...
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