"I Bought My Domain, So I Own It ― Right?" Not Necessarily

[Arpit131]

Huffinton Post published an article titled "I Bought My Domain, So I Own It ― Right?" Not Necessarily!

Here is a small excerpt from the article:

"What is your most important online asset? I won't blame you if you think it is your website. That is a logical answer, but not the right one. Your most important asset is actually your domain. For all intents and purposes, it is the road that gets people to your online presence. You can build the most beautiful, lavish castle anyone has ever built, but if the roadway isn't there, no one is coming."

Read the complete article on Huffington Post

 

[iowadawg]

Read about these sad stories of people and companies thinking they have a great domain and it is theirs.
Until, like the article states, the IT person, or developer, web designer, etal, actually own the domain and bam!
Someone finds out their domain and website is not theirs at all unless they pay big bucks to get it all back.

 

[cbk]

Courts have already determined that a person is the rightful owner of the registration of the domain. So yes you are the owner.

This article is just about not being the owner if you get it stolen, of course.

Also, yes never ever use a hosting provider who does registration as a courtesy.

I have begged some of my clients to demand that their "web guy" or "IT guy" transfer into their account so they have control.

Believe it or not I have clients who don't even have the Login and password info for the account that their domain is in.

 

[ladypotus]

Interesting, so my experience is not unusual. Is it a thing with some IT ppl? No domain control to the business owner, no email passwords - putting 100% control of a business' online presence into their hands. Sadly, most people unaware of the implications until it's too late.

 

[enlytend]

In a larger company there is no individual "owner" and the directors don't want to deal with somain renewals. Companies I've worked at put domain registration etc. under someone in their legal department, making it someone in IT would also also sense. But there needs to be an agreement that this is legally being done on behalf of the company, and access information needs to be stored appropriately.

 

[Constantin S]

If you buy a domain and is not a trademark, you are the owner. Simply as that.