This is not new. Here's someone complaining about the same message in 2009: http://www.nullamatix.com/godaddy-nightmare-express-written-...

It does show bad customer service on GoDaddy's part but it isn't some conspiracy to prevent SOPA protestors from leaving.

I got this on one of my domains too, and it was because of the private whois information (Domains By Proxy). After I removed that, it worked just fine.

It's a Google Translate link because I can't find any article in English. If someone finds it, please submit.

I transferred mine today without any problem.