Stolen Domains Big Issue in our Community - what do you do if you buy one?

[DN BROKER]

I have not purchased a stolen domain, rather have read a lot of threads lately people buying stolen domains not knowing, until they post it for sale and the original owner jumps in and claims to be the owner who got his domains stolen...

As the new owner of a stolen domain, what would you do next?

Would you ask the original owner to compensate you for the damage?

I believe who ever the new owner is, he or she should return the stolen domains to the original owner for the same cost he or she paid.

What does everyone else think?

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

Its not as easy as it seems, just handing it back that is.

Each situation is unique and the ethical right to fight to keep it would hinge on a few things such as did you pay the registrant on record to their bank account, was the name suspiciously offered( larger or seasoned domainers know better) and so on.

If you did not have communication with and pay the registered owner you have no ethical reason to expect to keep it. Sometimes employees or ex employees sale names they do not have a right to.

If it was a straight case of stolen and resold again sticky issue, most times if handled properly the buyer will have no choice if he keeps it or not.

 

[DN BROKER]

we need to raise this issue in our industry and get registrars and ICANN to pass a bill to protect us all.

Something needs to be done to protect us from having our domains stolen!