Expired Domains

[Oriole]

**I meant to post this message here**


Hello all,

Recently I purchased a domain from Go Daddy that had expired and had previously had a fair amount of traffic going to it. The former owner of the domain contacted me and wanted to get it back. I informed him that I hadn't yet built a site for the domain, but that if he wanted it back, I'd be willing to hear his best offer.

I get another email today from him demanding that he wants me to return his domain to him at cost. As far as I'm concerned, and I'm not a lawyer, was that as soon as his domain expired, the domain's ownership reverted back to Go Daddy. Go Daddy and I then engaged in a transaction where I then took ownership, so any claims by him or his organization are void.

I wanted to run this by the forum and see if you agree with my line of reasoning. Has this happened to anyone else on here?


Oriole

 

[champ_rock]

**I meant to post this message here**


Hello all,

Recently I purchased a domain from Go Daddy that had expired and had previously had a fair amount of traffic going to it. The former owner of the domain contacted me and wanted to get it back. I informed him that I hadn't yet built a site for the domain, but that if he wanted it back, I'd be willing to hear his best offer.

I get another email today from him demanding that he wants me to return his domain to him at cost. As far as I'm concerned, and I'm not a lawyer, was that as soon as his domain expired, the domain's ownership reverted back to Go Daddy. Go Daddy and I then engaged in a transaction where I then took ownership, so any claims by him or his organization are void.

I wanted to run this by the forum and see if you agree with my line of reasoning. Has this happened to anyone else on here?


Oriole

Yes you have full right to the domain until and unless the old owner had a TM on the name.

Since you did not mention any TM's, I am assuming the domain is pretty clean and you have full right to do whatever you want with it

 

[Kate]

I would just tell him to complain to GD so they will maybe do a better job of explaining what happens to expired names.

 

[BoutiqueMusic]

If he wanted it so bad, why didn't he renew it when it came due? I have a list of all my domains and when they need to be renewed by. If your domain name is the same as your business, it is imperative to keep up with registration.

You snooze, you lose!

 

[Domaintion]

your good to go, he is just trying to low ball you, even if he says he has a TM, I would check with TM office before doing anything. Good luck.

 

[bdmunee]

I am going through the same thing right now. Bought a domain at TDNAM that the owner forgot to renew and now they are whining, laying the guilt trip, etc.

I gave them ample opportunity to purchase the domain and they didn't even give me a counter offer or any offer for that matter. Once they resorted to the name calling (thief, scumbag, amongst others) the gloves came off. Now there is a nice "group porn" portal on their precious mortgage site.

:hehe:

 

[mrizos]

I would just laugh...then go about my day

 

[Aboutdomains]

**I meant to post this message here**


Hello all,

Recently I purchased a domain from Go Daddy that had expired and had previously had a fair amount of traffic going to it. The former owner of the domain contacted me and wanted to get it back. I informed him that I hadn't yet built a site for the domain, but that if he wanted it back, I'd be willing to hear his best offer.

I get another email today from him demanding that he wants me to return his domain to him at cost. As far as I'm concerned, and I'm not a lawyer, was that as soon as his domain expired, the domain's ownership reverted back to Go Daddy. Go Daddy and I then engaged in a transaction where I then took ownership, so any claims by him or his organization are void.

I wanted to run this by the forum and see if you agree with my line of reasoning. Has this happened to anyone else on here?


Oriole

You are worry free!!! event with trade mark. They can not do anything IF YOU JUST KEEP A PARKING PAGE FROM GODADDY. DO NOT BUILT ANY SITE CONTENT

 

[Kate]

You are worry free!!! event with trade mark. They can not do anything IF YOU JUST KEEP A PARKING PAGE FROM GODADDY. DO NOT BUILT ANY SITE CONTENT

Not true at all.

Short answer: they seem to have let their domain expire by mistake, now they are trying to pressure you to grab it back to you at cost. Bottom line is that they are no longer the owner of the domain.
Long answer: that does not mean they have no rights to the name.
It's impossible to tell without knowing the name. TM issues are always possible.

If they are just telling you that you should return the name to them just because they are the previous registrant, then sorry but it's not reason enough.
Personally I would refer them to my lawyers so that they make their case, if any.
At this point you could simply ignore them.
Also keep in mind that you are both bound by the terms of the registrar.

 

[homebuyer]

No

Don't park the domain because the ads might infringe upon any TM held by the losing domainer. Don't even offer to sell it back to them.

By the way, I used to have access to 3rd base box seats season tickets right on the railing at Memorial Stadium before the big strike, when "Take me out to the ballpark" really meant something. Great memories.

 

[webidn]

can't park??
can't make site??
then what can the domain do ??

 

[Tobiasz]

It can be sold to someone else

 

[montsa007]

You have full right on the name, ask the former owner why did he let it expire?