Yes, that is correct. The hdl.handle.net link can provide an "inactive" message for a handle prefix which is no longer maintained. Sometimes institutions shut down their
handle services intentionally and work with us on the content of that message, and sometimes not.
In principle, it is possible for another organization to arrange to provide the handle services at some point in the future; but it is less likely that someone would be able to
offer web-to-handle proxy services under your custom domain name.
We do of course offer the proxy software for public distribution, so this is available to anyone who wishes to do it.
Robert