Registered an expired domain. Previous owner fighting with me!

[HiFiNames.com]

Hi friends,

I Registered an expired .com domain.
I sent mail to other extn owners announcing the .com is for sale.
The person who owns the .net is fighting with me in email that he was having it for many years and by some medical reason he couldn't renew. So I am not supposed to register it. I must sell it back to him at registration price! otherwise I am not a good person! Blah blah... Also some rude comments!

(None of the domain extensions were developed by him. )

Is he has any right or what should I do?

Kindly suggest. Thanks in advance

 

[guilty]

Tell him that you can sell it to him, and give him a price. Don't give him the domain for free. He needs to understand that rude comments won't get him anywhere.

 

[HiFiNames.com]

Thanks. I have given a price and for that he again wrote rude comments. I must give it to him at registered price!

I think he don't have any legal rights. Am I right?

 

[guilty]

As long as he didn't register the name as a trademark, you will be fine.

 

[RevolutionaryDomains]

Assuming there is no TM, etc; then no the individual has no rights to ownership.

 

[mikenormal]

@greatwebss

I think all is good if it's not trademarked.

I once registered a 5 letter .com on the drop. A few weeks later after I sold it on but I was still in possession (waiting for push details). I got contacted by the previous owner saying it's trademarked and he let it drop by mistake. That he was going to do everything to get it back.

Firstly he contacted the registrar and had the domain frozen and content removed. Then he said he will be going to his lawyer. etc.

I told him to slow down and relax - I'll try to help you.

I did a little research and found out it was actually trademarked (I was caught out by this as I don't register them purposely). I contacted back the original owner explaining my situation.

I reached out to my buyer who was very understanding and I sold it back to the original owner for the same price what I sold it for.

All is good if everybody can reason with each other - Things get ugly fast if there is a breakdown in conversation.

 

[Ms Domainer]

I had this happen to me.

The young woman was sick, and, blah, blah, forgot to renew. I offered to sell it back to her at the price I paid, but this entitled snowflake thought I should just hand it over. It was annoying because I was thinking of rebranding with that particular domain, and I had paid an aftermarket price for it -- Not much, but, still, it's money and time.

In the end, the domain I REALLY wanted became available, so I no longer need the snowflake's domain. But my dealings with her were so unpleasant that I want nothing to do with her.

I just cut off all communications with her.

 

[Name Trader]

Thanks. I have given a price and for that he again wrote rude comments. I must give it to him at registered price!

I think he don't have any legal rights. Am I right?

I would simply reply... FO, assuming there are no trademarks.

 

[Nick]

Is he has any right or what should I do?

Kindly suggest. Thanks in advance

It's not your fault he made a bad business decision. We all know that registrars constantly hound you to renew your expiring domains and you have the option to auto-renew when you either renew or purchase it the first time.

 

[ulterios]

Do some research, the whole "Medical Reasons" or some other kind of "I was sick" line is more common than you think. DON'T Believe that line WO any kind of proof.

Even if it was true, since he came at you very rude I would not go a cent less than what you would sell it to anyone else for.

If he would have been nice and explained himself respectfully then I would work with him.

I say if he want's it, he's gonna have to pay full asking price.

 

[Templr]

Unless he was in ITU for months, he would have received many alert emails regarding expiration.

Who really knows the real reason.

Alas, by starting off with abusive emails isn't likely going to facilitate an amendable transaction.

 

[cdboard]

how do you know he was the previous registrant? he might not be truthful.

don't fall for the medical argument, especially after some rudeness.

put it on an auction site. send him a link to the auction and forget about it.

 

[mikenormal]

how do you know he was the previous registrant?

You can use any WHOIS history search tool.

 

[iAchilles]

You can use any WHOIS history search tool.

Whoisology.com is good for recent data (and free).

 

[D Haynes]

Tell him go and play in the road.

 

[Dave_Z]

Ignore the previous owner, but keep any communications (e.g. email) from that person.

 

[SirDrago]

Ignore the previous owner, but keep any communications (e.g. email) from that person.

Correct!
Do not respond to this person whatsoever, any and all emails/conversations can be used to hurt you in the end. Cut off all communication!
The Domain expired and you registered it fare and square... End of story.
Keep all emails this individual sends you as proof of harassment.
As many have mentioned above check if there's any trademark on it, if there is none then develop or sell away!
Hope this helps.

 

[HiFiNames.com]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have checked there is no TM.

Now I am clear.

Here is the entire conversation (only name/ id is edited)

--------------------------------------------------My first mail ---------------------------------------------------
Subject: XXXXXXX.com domain for sale

Hi XXXXXX,

My name is XXXXXXXXX and I own the domain XXXXXXX.com first registered since 2010. I am currently considering selling the domain property to one company which uses the term XXXXXXX.

Since you are using the domain XXXXXXX.net/org/info/biz, I wanted to make sure you were included in the conversation.I invite you for this opportunity to grab this .com to take up your business to next level. Let’s discuss your interest in the acquisition of this domain today.

Thank you for your time and attention, I look forward to hearing from you today XXXXXXXX.

Regards,

XXXXXXXX
Founder & CEO,
SonicNames.com

--------------------------------------------------His First Reply --------------------------------------------------

IF XXXXXXX.com lapsed, it is because of my four life-saving surgeries, and the death of my first
born son and my sister. Are you trying to make a profit off of my misfortune, or just offering to sell
it back to me?

XXXXXXXX
000-000-0000

--------------------------------------------------My second mail--------------------------------------------------
price for the domain is $3000

-------------------------------------------------- His second reply --------------------------------------------------

What a low life you are!!! ( this was sent in very huge font)

--------------------------------------------------My third mail--------------------------------------------------
Seems you don't need the domain. So forget it
--------------------------------------------------His third reply--------------------------------------------------
It was my domain, that I paid on for years! So, you come along and take advantage of my dire health condition
(e.g., ascending and descending aorta replacements, etc.) and want to be a vulture! What a sorry human being you must me! Next time you look in the mirror, realize that on Judgement Day you will finally get the "deal" you deserve!

( this was also sent in very huge font)

--------------------------------------------------My fourth mail --------------------------------------------------
If you think I will fail to your sentiment story, its not going to be. Since you pretend to be innocent, it is not.

Domaining is business and not charity.

SO you missed your opportunity to get the .com domain. Thats all.

---------------------------

After that there is no response from him. I have already put this domain at Godaddy Premium promotion. So If any mail comes, I planned to send "This domain is avaliable at godaddy.com You may search & buy. There is no communication entertained"

Am I right or is there any mistake in my part?

 

[RapidNames.com]

You are right.

He paid for 1 year only, then how dare he claimed his domain!

He should be polite and request instead of forcing you.

Set fixed price and send link. If he is serious in his business, he would buy it surely.

 

[Kate]

So if I read this right - you have E-mailed a number of parties, including the former registrant ?
It's something I would never do. I think it's asking for trouble.