news Epik helps patterns.com owner recover domain in UDRP

[bhartzer]

The domain name Patterns(.com) was stolen from Network Solutions in 2020. DNProtect was approached by the owner of the domain name to help recover their stolen domain name.

BizCN registrar refused to cooperate and return the domain name to the owner. Therefore, DNProtect turned to domain name attorney Daniel Prince to file a UDRP. The decision of the UDRP was to return the domain, as the domain was acquired by the respondent via "fraudulent means".

https://domainnamewire.com/2022/03/01/epik-helps-patterns-com-owner-recover-domain-in-udrp/

 

[bhartzer]

This is a remarkable twist to the Patterns(.com) saga.

For the record, I covered the theft of Piracy(.com) and Patterns(.com) warning potential buyers in December 2020. In that post there is a comment left by the owner, David Cochrane, in November 2021.

In March 2022, the domain Patterns(.com) was "recovered" using the UDRP process. I put the word in quotes because presumably when an attorney gets involved in a UDRP they aren't then receiving the domain in their account - it goes back to the original registrant's account.

Therefore, what followed the successful "recovery" of the domain via the UDRP process is fascinating to find out. Was it given to Epik instead of the previous registrant and would that be a violation of the UDRP process?

Based on the whois history, the domain went from the domain thief's registrar (BizCN) around 4/11/22, to Epik Registrar around 5/11/22. The domain has been under privacy, so there is no way to tell if the domain ever made it back to Mr. Cochrane or not.

 

[bmugford]

Based on the whois history, the domain went from the domain thief's registrar (BizCN) around 4/11/22, to Epik Registrar around 5/11/22. The domain has been under privacy, so there is no way to tell if the domain ever made it back to Mr. Cochrane or not.

It is extremely hard to unravel who really owns a domain when you have whois privacy.

Combining that with a registrar you can't trust is a recipe for disaster.

Brad

 

[Derek Peterson]

Yes, DNProtect was a joint project started by me and RM.

DNProtect was profitable when it was taken offline.

You seem a little too chill. If someone just took my business offline without any notice or explanation I would be finding out what's up. Why aren't you finding out what's up? Were you guys involved in some sketchy stuff and you want to remove yourself? Something seems off. Please explain.

 

[bmugford]

You seem a little too chill. If someone just took my business offline without any notice or explanation I would be finding out what's up. Why aren't you finding out what's up?

Yeah, I would certainly be a bit more heated in the same situation if my business was wrongly yanked out from under me.

Brad

 

[Derek Peterson]

Yeah, I would certainly be a bit more heated in the same situation if my business was wrongly yanked out from under me.

Brad

Yep, something fishy going on. I wish Hartzer would just tell us what's up. Anticipating, new default landing page for dnprotect and epik.

 

[bhartzer]

Yeah, I would certainly be a bit more heated in the same situation if my business was wrongly yanked out from under me.

Brad

I've been keeping my public statements as vague as possible in order to keep everyone informed about what's going on. Trust me, I'd like to say a lot more, but it's pending legal action.

 

[bmugford]

I've been keeping my public statements as vague as possible in order to keep everyone informed about what's going on. Trust me, I'd like to say a lot more, but it's pending legal action.

Fair enough.

Brad

 

[Ostrados]

patterns.com is currently parked with sale label on top when you click it you get directed to Sawbrokers.com inquiry form.

The domain is pointing to NS1.MYTRAFFICMANAGEMENT.COM, NS2.MYTRAFFICMANAGEMENT.COM

 

[Derek Peterson]

I've been keeping my public statements as vague as possible in order to keep everyone informed about what's going on. Trust me, I'd like to say a lot more, but it's pending legal action.

Do you know if there are any kind of legal investigations ongoing?

 

[Future Sensors]

I've been keeping my public statements as vague as possible in order to keep everyone informed about what's going on. Trust me, I'd like to say a lot more, but it's pending legal action.

To be fair, the story you told in the AMA thread not only sounded vague, it didn't sound very convincing to me.

I therefore hope that you have the very best lawyer, because it is indeed quite possible that you have been duped as well. How exactly is unclear to me, but I wish you a lot of strength.

Maybe you can help other Epik/Masterbucks victims in the meantime, with your unique knowledge of how things work internally at Epik, I sincerely hope so.

All the best.

 

[bhartzer]

Do you know if there are any kind of legal investigations ongoing?

Only the previous one that I was a part of but am no longer a part of (related to DNProtect). I believe John Berryhill mentioned it in another thread.

 

[Vimal Kumar]

I

 

[bmugford]

Sorry. Who/ what is RM?

Rob Monster.

Brad

 

[bhartzer]

An update on this.
We recovered the Patterns(.com) stolen domain via UDRP. The domain was being held at Epik, and was for sale. Then, randomly, Brian Royce, CEO of Epik at the time, decided that Patterns(.com) was Epik's domain (it was not), and he sold the domain without permission from the owner. So at this point, the owner of the domain has been 'victimized' twice now.

 

[Mister Funsky]

@bhartzer thanks for updates.

Brian Royce, CEO of Epik at the time

I'm curious who is the 'official' CEO at Epik now that 2024 has rolled around. Also wondering what capacity, if any, Royce has in this new year.

 

[bhartzer]

@bhartzer thanks for updates.


I'm curious who is the 'official' CEO at Epik now that 2024 has rolled around. Also wondering what capacity, if any, Royce has in this new year.

That's what is so confusing. Epik LLC has not said who the new owners are, who the CEO is, who the COO is, and who's "running the show" so to speak. There's speculation, but nothing has been revealed about this "new company".

 

[Mister Funsky]

That's what is so confusing. Epik LLC has not said who the new owners are, who the CEO is, who the COO is, and who's "running the show" so to speak. There's speculation, but nothing has been revealed about this "new company".

Thanks. All things considered, it makes sense why no one wants to raise his/her head!!!

However, just like a crime scene, there are fingerprints everywhere of who is still active. I'll leave it up to the super sleuths to discuss. I'm off to a meeting.

 

[Vimal Kumar]

This is just too bizarre. That's it. I have gone ahead and transferred all my domains out of Epik now.

Goodbye Epik!