Recaliming domain ownership

amabaie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 06:47 PM

I have a client whose website was registered in the web designer's name. Now the designer is AWOL (he might be in a coma or living in a monestry somewhere), so we can't even change the DNS. The domain registrar says that all they can do is wait for the domain to expire, then buy it when it becomes available to the public.

I've visited this page:
http://www.icann.org/dndr/udrp/policy.htm

But there is nothing very clear about what happens when a service provider registers a domain in its own name instead of the company's name.

Has anyone dealt with this kind of problem before?

timmathews.com · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 03:58 PM

Yes, I have on many occasions.
The domain registrar is correct... You are without paddle until it expires or get in tough with the web designer.
Even after it expires, you will not be able to get it right away... You will have to wait through the registrar holding period... This is anywhwere from a few days to a month or more.
I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but alas it is true.
Try harder to get hold of the designer... Call his parents, leave messages that you want a web site developed. They will get him and give him the message... Then you have him.
Good luck.

amabaie · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 10:53 AM

Darn Tootin' that's not what I wanted to hear! But I know it's true, Tim.

I am just trying to find if there is some other strategy that might have worked. My client actually has a contract with the web designer, saying that all domains he purchases on the client's behalf belong to the client. We are trying to wave that in front of the registrar to see if it will get their attention that they have the wrong registrant listed.

Other than that, I plan to be passing through the designer's town in a few days, and I plan to knock on his door...if he is still there, if he is still alive, if he hasn't run off to join a monestary in Tibet.

I am hoping one of these things will work. I am still also hoping somebody else will reply to this thread with a bright idea that has worked in the past.

timmathews.com · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 11:37 AM

I know man... I know it sucks.
Knocking on his door is IDEAL!
Then you have him. Get hold of his siblings as stated earlier... He doesn't know who you are, so he will be willing to talk to you if he thinks you are a prospective client.
All the best to you, good luck!
Tim

snowflakegirl · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 12:44 AM

Sounds like the icann is in dire need of some legal reform to me. If I buy a domain name for a customer then take off to unknown territories there should be some recourse for the legal owner to make a claim for their rightfull ownership.

Robban · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 03:13 PM

Hi Snowflake.

Long time no see...

Feydakin · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 05:09 PM

Some registrars have taken the grace period to extremes.. I have seen some as long as 90 days after expiration.. So even if you could sntach it up right away, you would loose your site for 3 months.. I know a web firm in Utah that simply decided not to do it anymore and turned everything off and walked away..

People are screaming for help and there isn't a thing that anyone can do.. All because this guy won't give up his godaddy login..

timmathews.com · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2006, 02:48 AM

LOL! I know this to be so true... I had an issue with Godaddy personally... With blanketmall.com, we originally registered the domain with godaddy, then sold the company. Then, the lady that bought blanketmall was having one heck of a time with the guy that registered the domain... He wouldn't change nameservers for her or anything. Needless to say, the site was down and she was at his mercy.
I had the domain transferred into my BulkRegister account, and have had smoothe sailing ever since!
:)