It isn't even a reproduction problem. Who was bothering to verify that the letterhead was genuine? Letterheads for identity assurance were very much part of th

It isn't even a reproduction problem. Who was bothering to verify that the letterhead was genuine? Letterheads for identity assurance were very much part of the security theatre of their day. In the case of domain transfers it might have really not been about security at all. Given the other dark patterns associated with that business I'd not be surprised if the requirement existed purely as a soft lock-in measure, to create friction to make transferring out more of a hassle.