What are the logistics of owning a domain name?

[GUA]

I was just curious as to what the legalities/logistics are with regards to domain name ownership.

With property, you have deeds for example.
With domains, yes you have a whois database, but I could have my name as Joe Bloggs if I wanted to.

I appreciate this is unlikely to happen, but if someone proclaimed ownership of say business.com, or perhaps a really good domain which has not received loads of publicity (I.E No-one can vouch for who the owner is)... what is in place to verify ownership legally?

Does this leave open opportunities for the next 'Reverse hijacking' style way of getting domains?

Cheers

 

[jasdon11]

Well, you can put your name down as Joe Bloggs when you buy a house too if you're buying without a mortgage....with domains, it comes down to your email address and receipt from when you bought it.

 

[Theo]

The info is at the Registry. You can't just claim you own business.com

 

[GUA]

The info is at the Registry. You can't just claim you own business.com

Yes but it is not like the registry have inside information as to if you are who you say you are..?

Some domains I have bought, I have no receipt of purchase from any registrar. I have paypal confirmation emails etc But in the grand scheme of things, that just shows I sent someone some money.

Again a far fetched suggestion but is the lowdown essentially that if you do call yourself 'Joe Bloggs' then any individual called Joe Bloggs has a viable claim to the domain?

 

[Theo]

A viable claim perhaps, but only *your* claim is lawful. Now, if you're referring to what would be technically possible when two people share the same name, it depends on having access to one final key: the email that controls the domain.

 

[GUA]

A viable claim perhaps, but only *your* claim is lawful. Now, if you're referring to what would be technically possible when two people share the same name, it depends on having access to one final key: the email that controls the domain.

My situations are getting more far fetched as they grow but...

Joe Bloggs owns domain.com

Joe Bloggs(2) hacks his email, and takes control of the domain.

In the first place Joe Bloggs had incorrect address details on the whois database.

Joe Bloggs may have stolen the domain (=guilty conscience), but there is nothing to verify that he was not the original owner anyway... I.E Because of the incorrect details, nothing can verify who is the real Joe Bloggs as such.


This is more out of interest now... It is clear that if you keep your whois information valid, and up to date then you will be fine..

 

[draggar]

When you look at it this way, there is no way to prove that the books on mt shelf are mine. If someone steals them and claims them as their own - its my word against his.

The same can go for many things. My computer, my TV, my DVDs, my bed sheets, and so on.

Technically, though, we don't own any domains. We rent them from ICANN. We pay ICANN (though a third party a.k.a. registrar) a rental fee every year to have the ability to control the domains (point DNS, park, develop, nothing, sell, lease etc..) but in the end, we do not "own" the domains.

 

[Theo]

Tom, where are you getting to?
From unverifiable ownership to crime (theft) of a domain, there's lots of ways to find out who is the legitimate owner.

 

[GUA]

Cheers Acro, and draggar.

Sorry for my drawn out thought processes. I simply do not process multi string scenarios It has to be a step by step/gradual understanding

The reason for my query is regarding my own personal situation.
Although the person in question is very trustworthy, and well respected here I just wanted clarification prior to changing any of my domains whois information to any other person: As I am going offline potentially for 4 months as I travel, I was considering having my domains managed. Just looking into the pros/cons of it, and whether there is actually any need.

To expand on this, after my travels I am going to Uni, and thus my time from now will be pretty limited. From the point of view of me being an active domainer, this could be the end. Apart from all the cybersquatting la de da, if I own a domain and do absolutely nothing with it, then go offline for 10 years (having renewed it). Is there anything I need to be aware of?

This is all hypothetical, merely for information. I am essentially trying to work out what having my name listed on a domains whois entry actual entitles me to. I am simply not wording/explaining it well

Cheers

 

[Sonny Banks]

Cheers Acro, and draggar.

Sorry for my drawn out thought processes. I simply do not process multi string scenarios It has to be a step by step/gradual understanding

The reason for my query is regarding my own personal situation.
Although the person in question is very trustworthy, and well respected here I just wanted clarification prior to changing any of my domains whois information to any other person: As I am going offline potentially for 4 months as I travel, I was considering having my domains managed. Just looking into the pros/cons of it, and whether there is actually any need.

To expand on this, after my travels I am going to Uni, and thus my time from now will be pretty limited. From the point of view of me being an active domainer, this could be the end. Apart from all the cybersquatting la de da, if I own a domain and do absolutely nothing with it, then go offline for 10 years (having renewed it). Is there anything I need to be aware of?

This is all hypothetical, merely for information. I am essentially trying to work out what having my name listed on a domains whois entry actual entitles me to. I am simply not wording/explaining it well

Cheers

Don't change your whois info and don't find a guy to manage your domains for only 4 months.
Just renew them for an year and enjoy your holiday

I never will do this, my domains are always with my info until I sell them.

 

[GUA]

Don't change your whois info and don't find a guy to manage your domains for only 4 months.
Just renew them for an year and enjoy your holiday

I never will do this, my domains are always with my info until I sell them.

Mid way through writing my last message I thought that. Don't know why it didn't come to me before, as it is pretty obvious...

I am slightly confused here, as the person in question seems to 'manage' domains for numerous people. Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick, but under what circumstances would you want to have you domains essentially owned by another individual?

 

[Sonny Banks]

Mid way through writing my last message I thought that. Don't know why it didn't come to me before, as it is pretty obvious...

I am slightly confused here, as the person in question seems to 'manage' domains for numerous people. Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick, but under what circumstances would you want to have you domains essentially owned by another individual?

I will never let another individual own my names.
Only If I will die I let my names to my family...this is the only circumstance.

 

[karenk1]

I agree with Carter, just renew your domains and enjoy your holiday.

I dont know how anyone can manage your domains - what does this person do when he/she so-called manages your domains? Do they park them and make money off your domains or do they sell them on you when you are on holiday?

I, myself have 21 domain names (yes, I know I went way over my head) I got the buy a domain bug really bad..I have now come to realise I am an idiot (was trying to make something of myself and for my 2 kids-so we could have a bit of a better life-yeah right! that worked - all I did was spend so much money joining this and that) so now I have taken down alot of my sites which didnt even make any money (dont get me wrong had supposedly made $60 bucks off Adsense -but didnt even get that as Google stopped my account, I think it was because my ads were on traffic exchanges and I found out too late to take them off)....Anyway even though I am giving up my chances of being a well-off Mum I still have all the domain names and I will spend money renewing them until someone buys them (fingers crossed).

Sorry for getting off the track here, but dont get anyone to manage your domains, just keep renewing them - who knows you might need them when you get back.

Make sure you have a fantastic holiday!!
Good Luck and Have Fun

 

[Sonny Banks]

I agree with Carter, just renew your domains and enjoy your holiday.

I dont know how anyone can manage your domains - what does this person do when he/she so-called manages your domains? Do they park them and make money off your domains or do they sell them on you when you are on holiday?

I, myself have 21 domain names (yes, I know I went way over my head) I got the buy a domain bug really bad..I have now come to realise I am an idiot (was trying to make something of myself and for my 2 kids-so we could have a bit of a better life-yeah right! that worked - all I did was spend so much money joining this and that) so now I have taken down alot of my sites which didnt even make any money (dont get me wrong had supposedly made $60 bucks off Adsense -but didnt even get that as Google stopped my account, I think it was because my ads were on traffic exchanges and I found out too late to take them off)....Anyway even though I am giving up my chances of being a well-off Mum I still have all the domain names and I will spend money renewing them until someone buys them (fingers crossed).

Sorry for getting off the track here, but dont get anyone to manage your domains, just keep renewing them - who knows you might need them when you get back.

Make sure you have a fantastic holiday!!
Good Luck and Have Fun

Welcome to DNF!

 

[Biggie]

Mid way through writing my last message I thought that. Don't know why it didn't come to me before, as it is pretty obvious...

I am slightly confused here, as the person in question seems to 'manage' domains for numerous people. Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick, but under what circumstances would you want to have you domains essentially owned by another individual?

your series of questions raises a brow



no experienced domainer would ask such, unless he needed way to convince another to give up ownership or change whois

as long as i've been around, never heard about anybody "managing" names for others


or am i missing something?

 

[draggar]

Don't change your whois info and don't find a guy to manage your domains for only 4 months.
Just renew them for an year and enjoy your holiday

I never will do this, my domains are always with my info until I sell them.

I fully agree with that. 4 months is nothing and will fly by very quickly. If you're going to visit other members, I'm sure some of them would let you borrow their PCs (not leave with them, mind you) for an hour or so to check up on your domains.

 

[GUA]

your series of questions raises a brow



no experienced domainer would ask such, unless he needed way to convince another to give up ownership or change whois

as long as i've been around, never heard about anybody "managing" names for others


or am i missing something?

I appreciate that, but I can assure you it was merely an out of interest thread badly worded, and a lack of sleep on my part.

Independent of that, I think we have come to the conclusion that domains with correct whois cannot be hijacked.

Just to update on the 'managing domains', I dont see any reason why it cannot be disclosed, but the person in question is John Berryhill (perhaps he can post). I was made aware that he manages domains for people. The particular domain which bought this to my attention is face.com.

John is the admin contact, which is essentially the owner in that he can make whatever changes etc to the domain should he want to.

What is the benefit to the owners of having him 'own' it?

I fully agree with that. 4 months is nothing and will fly by very quickly. If you're going to visit other members, I'm sure some of them would let you borrow their PCs (not leave with them, mind you) for an hour or so to check up on your domains.

Ooh, but I wouldnt want to do that, they might log my logon details
OK.