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Registrant Rights and Responsibilities

Your rights and responsibilities when registering, renewing, transferring, or managing a domain with Hyper Layer.

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Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Hyper Layer | hyperlayer.net | Last Updated: 10 March 2026

Introduction

This Domain Policy governs the registration, renewal, transfer, redemption, and management of domain names purchased through Hyper Layer, a trading name of Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd ("Hyper Layer", "we", "us", or "our"). Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Hyper Layer is a reseller of domain registration services through Diamatrix (Pty) Ltd, trading as domains.co.za, which is an accredited registrar for both ICANN-managed generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and ZACR-managed country code domains including .co.za, .org.za, .net.za, .web.za, and other .za second-level domains.

As a reseller, Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Hyper Layer is not itself a direct registrar. All domain registrations, renewals, and transfers are processed through Diamatrix/domains.co.za. By registering a domain through Hyper Layer, you agree to be bound by this policy as well as the terms and conditions of the applicable registry and registrar, including ICANN, ZACR, and Diamatrix/domains.co.za.

Reseller Relationship and Third-Party Terms

Hyper Layer resells domain services through Diamatrix (Pty) Ltd t/a domains.co.za. By registering a domain through Hyper Layer, you automatically accept the terms and conditions of the following parties, as applicable to your domain:

  • Diamatrix (Pty) Ltd t/a domains.co.za — our upstream registrar
  • ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) — for gTLD domains such as .com, .net, .org, and others
  • ZACR (ZA Central Registry) — for .co.za and other .za second-level domains
  • The relevant registry operator for any other country-code or new gTLD domains

Hyper Layer makes every reasonable effort to communicate applicable third-party terms to customers but cannot guarantee that all registry-specific rules are reflected in this policy at all times. It is the customer's responsibility to familiarise themselves with the terms of the applicable registry.

For registrant education and rights information, please refer to:

Domain Registration

  1. Ownership of a domain name vests in the customer only after full payment has been received and the domain has been successfully registered at the applicable registry.
  2. Hyper Layer does not guarantee that a requested domain name will be available. Our systems reflect availability based on registry WHOIS data, which may not always be current. A domain that appears available may already have been registered by another party.
  3. In the event that a customer pays for a domain that cannot be registered due to a discrepancy between WHOIS availability data and actual registry status, Hyper Layer will issue a full refund of the registration fee paid.
  4. Where a time delay exists between a domain availability search and payment, multiple parties may attempt to register the same domain simultaneously. The domain will be provisioned to the party whose registration is confirmed first at the registry level.
  5. Should a customer misspell a domain name during registration and the misspelt domain is successfully registered, the customer remains liable for the full registration fee. No refund will be issued for a misspelt domain, and the correctly spelt domain must be registered as a new registration at the prevailing price.
  6. Premium domains are domains designated as high-value by the applicable registry and carry a higher registration fee than standard domains. Hyper Layer will make every effort to display premium domain pricing prior to checkout. If a customer pays the standard rate for a domain that is subsequently identified as premium and cannot be registered at that price, a full refund of the amount paid will be issued.
  7. All domain registrations are non-refundable once successfully registered at the registry, except as otherwise provided in this policy or Hyper Layer's general refund policy.

WHOIS and Registrant Information

To register a domain name, customers are required to provide accurate and complete registrant information, including:

  • The domain name being registered
  • Full name and address of the registrant (or the person on whose behalf the domain is being registered)
  • Technical information including name server details
  • Name, address, email address, and telephone number for the technical, administrative, billing, and zone contacts associated with the domain

Registrant information is submitted to the applicable registry and may be published in the public WHOIS database in accordance with registry policy. Customers are responsible for ensuring their WHOIS information is accurate and up to date at all times. Providing false or inaccurate WHOIS information may result in suspension or cancellation of the domain by the registry.

Hyper Layer may share registrant information with Diamatrix/domains.co.za, the applicable registry operator, ICANN, ZACR, and other parties as required by registry policy or applicable law. Please refer to our POPIA Statement for full details on how personal information is handled.

Domain Renewal

  1. Domain names must be renewed before their expiry date to remain active. Hyper Layer will send renewal reminder notifications by email at 60, 30, 15, and 7 days before the domain expiry date, and a final reminder 1 day after the expiry date.
  2. Customers who activate auto-renewal on their domain must have a valid payment card saved in their billing account. When auto-renewal is enabled, the renewal amount will be automatically charged to the card on file 30 days before the expiry date. Once payment is confirmed, the domain will be renewed for an additional year at the registry. If no card is saved or the charge fails, auto-renewal will not process and the domain will follow the standard expiry process.
  3. Customers have up to 10 days after the domain expiry date to renew their domain at the standard renewal fee. After this grace period, the domain will enter the Redemption Grace Period.
  4. All renewal fees are non-refundable once the renewal has been processed at the registry.
  5. .co.za and other ZACR-managed domains may be suspended by the registry sooner than gTLD domains and can in some cases be suspended within one (1) day of the expiry date. Customers are strongly advised to renew .za domains on or before their due date.

Redemption Grace Period

  1. Once a domain passes the post-expiry renewal window, it enters the Redemption Grace Period (RGP) and is suspended at the registry with a status of RGP.
  2. For gTLD domains, the Redemption Grace Period is typically 30 days. For .co.za and ZACR-managed domains, redemption periods may differ and are governed by ZACR policy.
  3. During the Redemption Grace Period, the domain can be restored at a redemption fee. Redemption fees are charged by the registry and passed on to the customer. Current redemption fees are listed in your client area and are subject to change in line with registry pricing. As a guide, redemption fees are significantly higher than standard renewal fees.
  4. Once the Redemption Grace Period has expired, the domain will be deleted from the registry and become available for anyone to register as a new domain. Hyper Layer cannot recover a domain once it has been deleted from the registry.

Domain Deletion and Cancellation

  1. Domains cannot be formally cancelled mid-term. To stop a domain from renewing, customers should disable auto-renewal in the client area. The domain will remain active until the end of the current registration period and will then be allowed to expire naturally.
  2. No refund will be issued for any unused portion of a domain registration period, as domain registrations are non-refundable.
  3. Customers who wish to permanently relinquish a domain should disable auto-renewal and allow the domain to expire. Hyper Layer will not actively delete a domain on a customer's behalf during its active registration period.

Domain Transfers

Transferring a Domain Away from Hyper Layer

  1. The transfer process differs depending on the domain type. For gTLD domains (.com, .net, .org, and others), customers must request an EPP authorisation code (auth code) through the billing portal at https://billing.hyperlayer.net/submitticket.php. For .za domains managed by ZACR, no EPP auth code is required — transfers are initiated directly between registrars. There is no charge for transferring .za domains in or out of Hyper Layer. For all other domain types, a transfer fee applies at the prevailing rate listed in the client area.
  2. Domains must not be within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer to be eligible for transfer, in accordance with ICANN and ZACR policy.
  3. The domain must be in an unlocked state and have an accurate and accessible registrant email address to complete a transfer.
  4. Hyper Layer will not unreasonably withhold or delay the release of an EPP auth code. Transfer requests will be processed within a reasonable timeframe.
  5. Any outstanding invoices on the domain must be settled before a transfer will be authorised.

Transferring a Domain to Hyper Layer

  1. Customers may transfer existing domains registered elsewhere to Hyper Layer. The customer must initiate the transfer through the client area and provide a valid EPP auth code obtained from their current registrar.
  2. For gTLD domains, a successful inbound transfer adds one (1) year to the domain's current expiry date at the prevailing transfer fee. Transfer fees are non-refundable. For .za domains, transfers do not add a year to the expiry date — the existing expiry date is carried over to Hyper Layer. There is no charge for inbound .za domain transfers.
  3. Hyper Layer cannot guarantee the success of an inbound transfer as it depends on the releasing registrar's cooperation and the domain's eligibility status.

.co.za and ZACR Domain Specifics

  1. Hyper Layer registers .co.za and other .za second-level domains through Diamatrix/domains.co.za via the ZACR EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) system. All .za domain registrations processed through Hyper Layer are subject to ZACR registry policy.
  2. All .za domains registered through Hyper Layer are registered on the EPP system and cannot be transferred back to the legacy ZACR system. Transfers between EPP-enabled registrars are fully supported.
  3. Should a customer wish to point their .za domain's DNS to another hosting provider, Hyper Layer can update the name servers accordingly. The domain registration remains with Hyper Layer until a formal transfer is completed.
  4. ZACR .za domains may be subject to shorter grace and suspension periods than gTLD domains. Customers must ensure renewal payments are made on or before the due date to avoid suspension.
  5. Registrant eligibility requirements for .za domains are governed by ZACR policy. Certain .za second-level domains may have specific eligibility requirements. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure they meet all applicable requirements.

DNS and Name Servers

  1. By default, domains registered through Hyper Layer will be pointed to Hyper Layer's name servers unless the customer specifies otherwise at the time of registration.
  2. Customers have full self-service access to update their domain's name servers directly through the client area at any time. Alternatively, Hyper Layer can update name servers on the customer's behalf upon request via a support ticket.
  3. Hyper Layer is not responsible for DNS downtime or propagation delays associated with name server changes, whether initiated by the customer or as a result of third-party infrastructure.
  4. Domain Parking (pointing a domain to a holding page with no active hosting) does not include web hosting, email hosting, or any other services. A separate hosting product must be purchased for these.

Indemnity and Liability

  1. The customer indemnifies and holds harmless Hyper Layer, Diamatrix/domains.co.za, and the applicable registry against any claim, loss, or damage arising from the customer's use of a domain name that infringes the intellectual property rights, trade marks, or other rights of any person or entity.
  2. Hyper Layer shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or expense arising from the expiry, deletion, or unavailability of a domain name due to the customer's failure to renew on time, regardless of whether renewal reminders were sent.
  3. Hyper Layer shall not be liable for any loss arising from a domain name being registered by a third party after expiry and deletion.
  4. Hyper Layer's maximum liability in connection with any domain name matter shall not exceed the registration or renewal fee paid for that domain in the relevant period.

Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Hyper Layer | hyperlayer.net | Last Updated: 10 March 2026