Disputes over domain ownership grow

[WhoNet]

Disputes over domain ownership grow

Roberta Murray / 01 September 2008

30 per cent increase in domain name disputes.

UK Businesses were today warned to tighten up on the legal ownership of their website addresses.

Fasthosts made the call as they released results showing a 30 per cent rise in the number of domain ownership disputes it has helped to resolve in the past year.

The most common dispute was where companies have registered a domain in an employee’s or adviser’s name only to have to later prove that the business should retain legal ownership and control.

Fasthosts is advising business owners themselves to check that their valuable business domain names are in their name – and seek transfer of ownership if necessary.

Massive implications

The report says an alarming number of UK businesses could be risking sales revenue and stability by having their business domain names registered on their behalf by employees or third parties such as web designers.

If such individuals part company with a business, as they were the legal ‘registrant’ of the domains, the business often faces the time consuming task of having to prove their legitimate right to own and control the domain names.

Fasthosts have an in-house Domain Release Team that can adjudicate disputes and action domain transfers on behalf of business owners, often smoothing the process for its customers whereas it is claimed most web hosting providers merely refer disputes to the relevant domain registries, often prolonging disruption to businesses.

Steve Holford, CMO Fasthosts Internet said, "in 2008, companies should view their domain names as valuable intellectual property. Businesses can save themselves from potential losses and disruption by ensuring that every domain is registered continually in the proprietor’s own name".

Fasthosts advises UK businesses to check that their domains are registered with up to date information and initiate any amendments rather than neglecting the issue. Companies with questions regarding their domains should contact their web host for advice.

Holford added, “Particularly in a challenging economic climate, third parties and employees can come and go. Whilst many business owners prefer somebody else to take care of their website, a clear distinction must be made between day-to-day administration of a company website and the legal ownership of the domains and hosting”.

http://www.dofonline.co.uk/management/disputes-over-domain-ownership-grow625214.html

 

[Dave_Z]

Heh, probably a PR for their service, though nothing necessarily wrong with it.
Still, I fully agree especially with the last paragraph.

Rather curious how their "Domain Release Team" works out ownership disputes
of their client domain registrations. But I guess they can manage its risks.