Domain Name Ownership. Who Really Owns YOURS?
If you are running a business, your domain name is one of your most valuable assets.
Domain name ownership is an important issue, and many people don't really know who owns theirs. Here's how to check.
Anyone can see ownership and other details of a domain name by using the WHOIS database.
Just go to [http://www.DomainTools.com], or [http://www.MyWebName.com.au] if you have an Australian domain name that ends in.au
The domain name records show 4 different "Roles"
* Registrant
* Administrative Contact
* Technical Contact
* Billing Contact.
(You would normally put yourself down as all of these contacts, but can nominate other people for the Administrative, Technical, and Billing roles if you wish.)
The REGISTRANT - The CRUCIAL Role.
It is vital that you understand the following:
Whoever is listed as the "REGISTRANT" is considered the "owner" of the domain name, and has full control over it.
This is so important, that I'll repeat it.
Whoever is listed as the "REGISTRANT" is considered the "owner" of the domain name, and has full control over it.
The registrant has the power to sell the domain, transfer it, switch it to a different website, and shut it down.
Many people have been ripped off - or lost their domain name - because a web host, a developer, or someone offering them a free domain name put themselves down as the Registrant.
Having your web developer listed as the Registrant for your domain name is like having your real estate agent shown as the owner of your house on the title deed.
If you have a domain name, check it now. MAKE SURE YOU ARE LISTED AS THE REGISTRANT. Being the Admin contact is not good enough.
(Note: It IS acceptable - but not compulsory - for web developers or web hosts to be shown as the admin or technical contacts.)
What Do I do if someone Else is shown as the Registrant?
If your name is not shown as the registrant on your domain name, you need to find out why.
There could be valid reasons, buried in the fine print of something to which you agreed. Or it could be due to somebody trying to mislead you, or perhaps because they didn't know any better.
Here are the main people that might put their own name as registrant of your domain name.
Website Developers
It is common practice for your web developer to register your domain name on your behalf. It is not proper for them to be shown as the registrant.
When a developer registers a domain name for you, he is acting as your agent. He should put YOUR NAME as the registrant of the domain.
However, many of them don't understand the difference between "registrant" and "admin".
If your domain name has your developer as the registrant, ask that the name be transferred to you. If they refuse then it's possible that the developer is up to no good, and I'd suggest that you get advice from your legal advisor.
Domain name ownership is an important issue, and many people don't really know who owns theirs. Here's how to check.
Anyone can see ownership and other details of a domain name by using the WHOIS database.
Just go to [http://www.DomainTools.com], or [http://www.MyWebName.com.au] if you have an Australian domain name that ends in.au
The domain name records show 4 different "Roles"
* Registrant
* Administrative Contact
* Technical Contact
* Billing Contact.
(You would normally put yourself down as all of these contacts, but can nominate other people for the Administrative, Technical, and Billing roles if you wish.)
The REGISTRANT - The CRUCIAL Role.
It is vital that you understand the following:
Whoever is listed as the "REGISTRANT" is considered the "owner" of the domain name, and has full control over it.
This is so important, that I'll repeat it.
Whoever is listed as the "REGISTRANT" is considered the "owner" of the domain name, and has full control over it.
The registrant has the power to sell the domain, transfer it, switch it to a different website, and shut it down.
Many people have been ripped off - or lost their domain name - because a web host, a developer, or someone offering them a free domain name put themselves down as the Registrant.
Having your web developer listed as the Registrant for your domain name is like having your real estate agent shown as the owner of your house on the title deed.
If you have a domain name, check it now. MAKE SURE YOU ARE LISTED AS THE REGISTRANT. Being the Admin contact is not good enough.
(Note: It IS acceptable - but not compulsory - for web developers or web hosts to be shown as the admin or technical contacts.)
What Do I do if someone Else is shown as the Registrant?
If your name is not shown as the registrant on your domain name, you need to find out why.
There could be valid reasons, buried in the fine print of something to which you agreed. Or it could be due to somebody trying to mislead you, or perhaps because they didn't know any better.
Here are the main people that might put their own name as registrant of your domain name.
Website Developers
It is common practice for your web developer to register your domain name on your behalf. It is not proper for them to be shown as the registrant.
When a developer registers a domain name for you, he is acting as your agent. He should put YOUR NAME as the registrant of the domain.
However, many of them don't understand the difference between "registrant" and "admin".
If your domain name has your developer as the registrant, ask that the name be transferred to you. If they refuse then it's possible that the developer is up to no good, and I'd suggest that you get advice from your legal advisor.
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