question Domain registration question(s) GoDaddy would not answer

[Chris2412]

Hello friends. I have been a long time reader of this forum and this is the best place to find knowledgeable guys and gals.

I don't know if this is the proper sub-forum for this, but the legal forum seems to be all TM questions and I'm certain someone here can answer my simple question(s).

I am a rookie, n00b just learning dreamweaver and how to code. I want to use an existing DBA from an existing sole proprietorship to register a domain without revealing my real name and residential home address (isnt that why people get DBA's after all???)

I went to GoDaddy support and was basically told by the representative that he is not a lawyer.

That was the answer I got after all this text. If you don't want to read all my drivel scroll down to the actual question in blue.

I appreciate any advice I can get on this matter.

Cheers.

(note: the name of my sole proprietorship and DBA in this chat are fictitious, used for hypothetical purposes)



You're chatting with Marlow .

Marlow - Hello and thank you for contacting Chat. How can I help you today?

Chris - Hello Marlow.

Chris - Marlow I have a question regarding domain registration.

Chris - This question is somewhat complex. I would have been happy to e-mail this information but no e-mail is provided

Chris - Ready?

Marlow - sure

Chris - Okay I am just going to start from the beginning because I don't know your background and how knowledgeable you are in this particular scenario

Chris - I have a sole proprietorship in my state. This is basically one step below a limited liability company. A sole proprietorship can be named pretty much anything, so long as it doesn’t include certain words, such as “bank”. The United States allows any business owner to operate under a DIFFERENT name, other than their own through filing with the county clerk to do so. This is called a DBA (Doing Business As).

Chris - The legal definition of a DBA is “a fictitious name”. The reason business owners choose to operate under a DBA (Doing Business As) is because it allows them to legally operate their business without revealing their personal information to everyone in the world.

Chris - Just as any LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or Inc. a DBA (Doing Business As) can be pretty much anything. In other words, it doesn’t have to be a “first and last name”.

Chris - So, my sole proprietorship filed in my state to legally operate as a business, let’s call it “Prestige Worldwide”.

Chris - But I choose to not do business under the name “Prestige Worldwide”, even though that is my sole proprietorship’s legal name, so I file for a DBA (Doing Business As) at the county clerk.

Chris - My DBA is “Prestige Global Entertainment”. In other words, my LEGAL (Doing Business As) name is “Prestige Global Entertainment”. This is a name that I have filed with the courts, to conduct my business
----------------


Chris - My question is this:

Chris - When I go through the process to purchase a domain it appears that “first and last name” is a mandatory requirement. Normally, yes this would be the case. And obviously, “Prestige Global Entertainment” is not a first and last name.

Chris - But, I have filed the proper paperwork with the county clerk to acquire a DBA (Doing Business As). This sort of thing is literally the reason American’s file for DBAs (to NOT give their real first and last name). Can you please clarify this subject matter for me?

Marlow - you can set up an account using what ever name you wish - however if you get locked out of your account and you are not able to receive the password resets sent to the email you provided us or your account is hi-jacked - We require you to send in proof of ownership. If you have filed your business name, legally, you can send in those documents to recover your account.

Chris - I do understand the purpose of providing the first and last name. It is ultimately to protect the domain and myself (and because ICANN requires it, yes?) But this doesn't answer my question. If my legal "Doing Business As" name is something crazy like “Prestige Global Entertainment”, what am I supposed to fill in when I purchase the domain?

Chris - In other words, can a BUSINESS own a domain? My legal, court approved business.

Chris - I've seen other registrars allow persons to purchase under an INC. , for example.

Chris - This does not appear possible on godaddy. The first and last name field is mandatory.

Marlow - As a product tech support representative, I'm not trained in the legalities of business ownership regulations. I have provided what knowledge I do have, I would have to recommend you review the GoDaddy Legal Agreements
and Policies - If it's just a matter of protecting your personal information to the public, we do offer a domain owner privacy service.

Chris - I would never do private registration, it makes you look like a shady individual because you are hiding who owns the website.

Chris - I feel like we've gotten nowhere, here.

Marlow - If you have any further issue that come up, please visit our help center at support.godaddy.com - Or just open up a new chat.

Marlow - have a great day

Chris - So, that's it? You basically cannot tell me anything other than you are not a lawyer

Marlow - that is correct

Chris - Okay...uhhh, thanks?

 

[WhiteCloud]

I think you may be overthinking this. The GoDaddy rep is correct in that you can edit the who is information to display whatever you please. So, after completing your purchase enter Domain Administrator as first and last name and be certain to also add you dba under the company field. This with the correct contact information will make your information verifiable if the need should arise.

GoDaddy will require your actual first and last name to process your credit card. At least for us, even if you have credit cards in the company name (LLC, etc.) there is always a real name attached.

 

[timestamp]

First name: Domain
Last name: Manager
(ah, late response)

 

[ulterios]

Here:

Registrant Name: Domain Administrator
Registrant Organization: DBA "YOUR BUSISNESS NAME HERE"

 

[Chris2412]

Thank you.

I really appreciate all of you and your response to such a seemingly trivial question.

This was so easy...why couldn't the GoDaddy rep just tell me that?

Kind of makes me think they are jokers.

 

[Chris2412]

Can you guys teach me PHP now? j/k

 

[ulterios]

Thank you.

I really appreciate all of you and your response to such a seemingly trivial question.

This was so easy...why couldn't the GoDaddy rep just tell me that?

Kind of makes me think they are jokers.

You are welcome. I have had to deal with their reps on MANY occasions and I can tell you that the quality of help/support is kind of hit-or-miss, in that sometimes the reps are great and sometimes they are lacking.

 

[ulterios]

Can you guys teach me PHP now? j/k

Yeah, mo too. LOL

I keep telling myself I am gonna look into learning it but just seem to be too busy when the thought pops into my head.

 

[Chris2412]

I keep telling myself I am gonna look into learning it but just seem to be too busy when the thought pops into my head.

You don't know PHP? C'mon don't bullcrap me. I thought it was child's play?

 

[ulterios]

You don't know PHP? C'mon don't bullcrap me. I thought it was child's play?

No BC, I know some but haven't taken the time to learn. I'm still pretty new to development so I stick with using a CMS.

 

[Chris2412]

I'm just messing about, friend.

I'm part of the community, now. I'm looking to learn as much as I can.

Monster shout out to WhiteCloud, also.

 

[ulterios]

I'm just messing about, friend.

I'm part of the community, now. I'm looking to learn as much as I can.

Monster shout out to WhiteCloud, also.

Oh, I knew that. I am also a very light hearted person myself. Check out some of my posts. LOL

Good to have you here with us at NP.

 

[Arca]

If you register names as an individual (not as a company/sole proprietorship), would it be okay to use Domain Manager as your name, while including you date of birth and address, accurately? The point would be to get privacy without paying the addon fee that godaddy charge for privacy.

 

[ulterios]

If you register names as an individual (not as a company/sole proprietorship), would it be okay to use Domain Manager as your name, while including you date of birth and address, accurately? The point would be to get privacy without paying the addon fee that godaddy charge for privacy.

You are supposed to use your real name unless you are a business or organization. If you try to do that, they can take the domain away from you. It doesn't always happen, but it can so I wouldn't want to try it unless it's a domain that you don't mind losing unexpectedly in the future.

The whois is supposed to be accurate. It isn't always in a lot of cases but icann has rules and they can and do enforce them once in a while. They have been cracking down more that they used to in the old days.

 

[Arca]

You are supposed to use your real name unless you are a business or organization. If you try to do that, they can take the domain away from you. It doesn't always happen, but it can so I wouldn't want to try it unless it's a domain that you don't mind losing unexpectedly in the future.

The whois is supposed to be accurate. It isn't always in a lot of cases but icann has rules and they can and do enforce them once in a while. They have been cracking down more that they used to in the old days.

Thanks @ulterios.

I'll be sticking with namesilo then

 

[ulterios]

Thanks @ulterios.

I'll be sticking with namesilo then

You are most welcome!