Is whois guard a good thing?

[Erdy]

I'm using whois guard because I like to use genuine contant information but I don't want it to be public. If I would have a wipo case I think fake contant info would make me look bad.

On the other hand, whois guard makes it hard to be contacted in some situations where you would prefer to be contacted first.

What is the best solution? Is there such a whois guard where you use your own email address but your name, phone number and address is hidden? I think I'm going to check with namecheap if it is possible to unhide my email and keep the whois guard.

 

[DNQuest.com]

Does the domain have TM ramifications?

 

[Erdy]

Hello DNQuest.com,

I offering the topic as a general discussion. It is not about a particular domain of mine. So far I have never received and wipo letter or C&D.

Recently I have become more interested on CVCV.com domains and VCVC.com domains. I buy these type of domains because they are 4 letter, short and brandable. This makes them valuable. At the same time with 4 letter pronounceable domains you run into the risk of hitting somewhere a TM by chance. Almost all pronounceable 4 letter terms are registered trademarks.

I would like to hear opinions on whois guard. If you have whois guard do you still receive C&D emails or wipo emails or letters by post?

If somebody wants to buy your domain wouldn't it be more difficult for them to contact you if you have whois guard? I understand that you can list your domain for sale but what if you don't want to list it. As you see there are many different factors to discuss regarding whois guards.

 

[DNQuest.com]

ok, that's cool.

Personally, I don't like whois protection. I understand people do not want to be spammed, and I might consider it if there is a domain I develop into something big. But for the domain business, I don't think it is a good thing. You want people to contact you to sell domains. Then there is always the issue of TMs. Complainants will arge he is hiding, so he must be guilty. And since it is human opinions that decides UDRPs, it can work against you.

Another problem I have with whois protection is the spammers themselves, they reg all these domain and spam the hell out of you, and they have whois protection (and probably false whois anyway, just makes taking down a site a bit longer to do). If whois protection went away, it would not bother me at all.

 

[jackdomain]

if you plan to sell the domains dont use whois guard

 

[muttley]

I have the WhoisGuard on all my namecheap domain names.

My name and address are kept private but if someone wants to contact me by email about the name for whatever reason they can.

The WhoisGuard email address on the domain names is forwarded to an email address I've chosen which remains secret.

The guard can be taken off at any time (and put back on again) if someone wants to verify my name and postal address.

Perfect.

 

[Domagon]

Simply use a "doing business as" (dba) name / company name for the organization name on the whois, get a PO BOX for the address, and use an unlisted phone number ... and you're all set ...

As a bonus you'll save a bundle over the crazy high "Whois Guard" prices many registrars charge, if you have say more than say 10 domains to "protect".

Ron

 

[.X.]

I don't use it, I don't see any need to, Any one can get your personal information from google, and other resources,I figure if some one has a problem with me, Then perhaps they need to call me.