Even if they aren’t a bad person, something could happen to them.
I’ve written many times about disputes over domain names between web developers/designers and their clients. Usually, these are cases of a web developer registering the domain in his or her name and holding it hostage if the client ever wants to get control of the domain name. There are similar disputes with employees who register company names in their own name.
It might be difficult for a client to explain to their developer that they want to register a domain in their own name because they don’t necessarily trust the developer. So here’s another, simpler argument for always registering a domain in your company’s name rather than the developer’s: the developer might get hit by a bus.
In a recent National Arbitration Forum case, Ohio company Thermotion, LLC claimed that its web developer ceased operations, apparently because of the death of its operator. The company is now having difficulty getting control of the domain name. The case was denied because Thermotion didn’t show that the registrant lacked rights or legitimate interests in the domain.
So the next time a web developer pushes back on who controls the domain name, clients have something other than “I don’t trust you not to screw me” as an argument. They can point to this case as an example in which the client couldn’t access the domain despite an apparent lack of mal intent by the developer.
You shouldn’t trust any web developer who insists on registering a domain name in their name instead of the client’s. That’s like hiring a custom home builder who insists on having their name on the title instead of the home owner’s.
I have this problem. I don’t know what can i do to get my domain name back.
Any help please, send an email to ([email protected])
Oops, correct link:
I wrote about this too and present further points of why you should register your own domains: https://dor.ky/2019/01/09/thoughts-about-domain-registration.html
Won’t be a bad idea to include your DN in your will done by a lawyer.
This is what i am struggling with it. I lost some one who register my domain name. My website is now offline almost two months.
Still need someone who can help me to get my domain back
I can’t fathom why you’d ever let your web developer have control over your domain name unless you just don’t know what you’re doing.
Web developers should have a clause in their contracts stating on termination of the contract the web developer must transfer the domain over to the client otherwise the web developer can be sued. On the other hand if the client defaults on payments within the term of the contract the web developer can refrain from transferring the domain until the payment is settled in full. Anyone wishing to have such contracts can email me and I will send them for free.
Renata, but what if a web developer falsely accuses a client of defaulting on its payments? Your clause sounds like it gives way too much power to web developers who are dishonest etc. For example, what if a client had similar power, and could shut down a web developer’s website/business if the client accused the web developer of not living up to their agreement?
+1. A domain name shouldn’t be held hostage over a payment dispute.
I will let you read an article on my blog about a ex-client of mine. You are portraying web developers in a bad light. Read this and you will see it is sometimes the clients that are the rouges not the developers: https://ukdomainbrokers.ukwebsitedesigners.co.uk/2017/09/23/disgruntuled-ex-website-client/ His domain is worth less than $100 and this individual owes me £11.5K
Re: “You are portraying web developers in a bad light.”
Not true. People are saying you shouldn’t let a web developer register, own, or control your domain name. Would you let a client own your domain name in case you didn’t complete the work as promised?
In reply to ‘bizstarz’ comment, web designers need to have access to the domain name to perform SEO furthermore if ‘bizstarz’ had read my original post how one client had scammed me in excess of £11.5K, because there was no contract in place. To safeguard both parties it is imperative to have a contract, that is what the law is for. So you are saying it does not matter about the web designer. If people were honest then I for one would not have a problem allowing a web designer have access to my domain as long as I kept up my payments. It is the same as leasing a car, the car is not yours until you pay the last installment.
There’s a difference between access and control of a domain.