Hostultra Domains

[spiralfive]

I don't know it this qualifies as a "dispute" on a big enough scale to be placed here, but it sure is a pain in the.... well, you know.

Anyway, I need some advice. I registed a domain (Spiralfive.com) through Hostultra (an eNom reseller) on February 24, 2005. My account ended 2 months before it was supposed to (which isn't that big of a deal, it sucked anyway). Now, I though that this wouldn't be that big of a deal, just change the nameservers to another host, right?

Wrong. As it turns out, Hostultra registers "your" domain in their name, and forces you to buy their hosting if you want to use it. You have no access to anything on the domain (change nameservers ,etc.). According to ICANN, this is not allowed. I reported it to InterNIC, and eNom for reviewal. Also, theres another larger site that's threatening to take them to court over this. I'm not sure if he's serious (through various exchanged PM's, he sounds like he means it), but I'd be glad to be involved in the case.

Hostultra claims that you are "renting" the domain from them.... what in the *&%$ is that supposed to mean?? You purchase a domain for a set number of years (1,2,etc.) for your use.

So, what are your thoughts. Who's right? Hostultra, or the customers?

 

[Dave_Z]

The truth is none of us can ever truly "own" a domain name. But when we do
register it, we're given the exclusive right to use it subject to the terms and
conditions of all providers involved.

Many people get this wrong perception that registering a domain name means
they're given absolute exclusive ownership of it. It's understandable how and
why they'd feel that way, but that's simply not the case.

Anyway, what you've experienced isn't unique. If you searched other threads
here and in other forums, you'll see others have gone thru what you've gone
thru recently.

Let me emphasize this: there'll surely be strings attached if you sign up for a
hosting package which includes a free domain name. What you mentioned is
one of those strings, though not every hosting company does that.

Unfortunately whoever's listed as the "registrant' is considered the legal owner
of the domain name, no ifs ands or buts. You may have paid for it, but you in
essence gave up your rights when you decided to no longer use their hosting.

You mentioned someone else is suing the company in question. Unless they're
suing for trademark infringement, I sincerely doubt that person will win.

ICANN's rules only apply to registrars. But it hardly applies to resellers of their
partner registrars, in this case Hostultra's an Enom reseller.

While many people will surely feel pissed off about this, this isn't a question of
what's right and wrong. It's a question of what was agreed upon when signing
up, especially if both parties understood what they're getting themselves in.

 

[liam_d]

Hostroute do this as well, i regged a domain with them when i got hosting a long time ago, it won't change in a hurry.

 

[IAmAllanShore]

mysitespace.com is the same; one of my first (But not last) hosting mistakes.

hostultra definitely looks like another.

I spent 5minutes just now looking for TOS or a user agreement somewhere... nada.

I did find this, however:
http://forum.hostultra.com/showthread.php?t=1

The picture of professionalism, I assure you.

-Allan