I own company domain

[Maksteel]

I used to contract for a company that asked me to register 3 domains in the UK as they were a US company and could not.

I did this using my personal company name to help them out. They have since terminated my contract and cut off all ties with me, not my choice but cost saving and that's how they operate.

Anyway, 2 years later I realise I still own the domains and have been paying for them all along. The company is still using the domains and I don't know if I should sell to them or what rights I have should I choose not to. If I sell, what price should I be looking at.

Thanks for your help.

 

[EmotiveDomains]

The price depends on what the domains are and how important they are to this company in terms of traffic.

 

[bmugford]

Sounds like a potential messy legal situation you might be getting yourself into.

Brad

 

[DNGear]

Ask them 50% of shares..lol

 

[ultradog]

I wouldn't blackmail past business contacts, or maybe it would be considered holding domains for ransom. You have a reputation to protect.

But you should be repaid for your costs, and perhaps a transferral fee. Because your time is worth something, and it’ll take some trouble to transfer the domains to them. (Also, check to make sure you have been paid in full for past work.)

 

[TestCase]

Sounds like a potential messy legal situation you might be getting yourself into.

Brad

^^^ THIS!!! ^^^

You probably want to get some legal advice before proceeding with any action.

 

[biggie]

i no lawyer, but if it was me

i'd send them an email and cc meself, that i have paid renewal fee for these names for X duration and would like to be compensated for those renewals in the amount of $X

if, no reimbursement is made prior to expiration date (exp date here) of said names, they will expire due to non-payment of renewal fee's.

or something to that effect


imo.....

 

[Maksteel]

Thank you all for your replies.
I was forced out of this company, lied to, given no notice and I could not even get recommendations from them. I have even passed them other business and they do not even say thanks.

These domains are very important to them and are in use for EU business.

I emailed to see if they are still using them and low and behold, they want contact for the first time in 2 years.

I don't like to hold anyone to ransom but the way I had been treated and the fact that it was difficult finding work for a few months after them letting me go as they would not give any recommendations or notice makes me feel I want something.

 

[Dominic Belley]

I would contact them and have the domains transferred to their account unless they decide to drop them.

I would ask for a refund for the 2 years renewal fees and I would bill them the time passed on the transfers, so around 1 hour.

 

[ultradog]

Biggie's suggested email is a good one. It's the first thing they should be concerned with -- making sure the domains don't expire -- so it's a first step. Personally, I would not offer to do anything else for them (not even transfer) at this point.

 

[TestCase]

...I emailed to see if they are still using them and low and behold, they want contact for the first time in 2 years...

Well, maybe you'll get lucky. Considering that you parted ways on a bad foot, they might be sensitive to this, concerned about losing of the domains and make the first offer in an attempt to keep things from going sideways for themselves.

And if they are coming up for expiration in the very near future, they might be VERY sensitive to the situation as they likely don't want to scramble to switch to alternative domains while they try to get the domains back.

 

[novasyd]

If I was the owner (I dont care of any lawyer sh#ts mine is mine) i will:

Alert them that they have 30/60/90 days to acquire the domain name for $xxx, $xxxx (for ex. calculate renew fees and add some profit for you, but dont share the calculation with them) because after that time period domain name will be redirected to a sales page and anyone can buy it.

 

[Kate]

It's very easy. You create a new user account, you push all the domains to that account, and you send them the login info. From now on it's no longer your problem.

 

[Corey]

umm didn't you say legally they are unable to own the names? @Maksteel

 

[jberryhill]

I was forced out of this company, lied to, given no notice and I could not even get recommendations from them. I have even passed them other business and they do not even say thanks.

And this entitles you to... what?

Why not just go old school and threaten to break their windows or burn their building down unless they pay you whatever "something" you want?

 

[DNWon]

Before following any advice doled out here, I would start by re-checking every bit of correspondence between you and the company regarding the acquisition of these names to see if there was any implied contract about who owns them once they were purchased. Don't create any legal issues you can't afford or have no chance of prevailing in.

 

[toughdomains]

sounds interesting..... if you have a work for hire agreement with them then all of the work you did while under that agreement is owned by the company in exchange for the paycheck you received.

However they should have had a plan in place to transfer ownership of those names but if they do not have a country address and need yours then they really cant manage the names anyway.

Maybe consider sending an invoice for your reg fees and managment fees of the names.

 

[1Darko]

If the story is like you told, then the questions to answer :
- did they specifically ask you in written to register the domains and using the contacts of your company?

If it is like that you have all rights to be compensated for all direct costs and time including interests.

However I believe that you have no rights to use the domains or sell to them the domains with profit. But here comes the big but, if your company had a contract with them there was a business relation established which could entitle you to the rights of this domains. Therefor it could be possible that you bill them a monthly cost for services related to the domian registration and holding the domains for them in the UK.

My advice would be to calculate all your costs and contact them. You will see how they will respond.

Don't spend to much energy with the past, focus on your own projects and don't look back! Your future is bright!

 

[JoeE]

The best thing to do is, find an amicable way to transfer it to them since we all know that the domains are theirs and without them requesting it, you would've had no interest to register such domains. What you need to figure out now is your compensation for the service and the paid fees. You never know, they may even keep you as the registrant and pay you for your services in the future if you played ball.

 

[LarryDomain]

Stop holding a grudge.. Do the right thing and send them back the domain. You registered it while they were employing you for a project.

It may be tempting to F them over and probably satisfying but in reality it's bad karma and they probably can try to sue you.