When Your Web Developer or Host Holds Your Domain Name Hostage

Our domain name dispute lawyers are contacted regularly by companies who have a falling out with their web developer and thereafter realize that the web developer has registered the domain name listing the web developer as registrant.  When the domain name is trademarked protected, this presents a number of issues for both the web developer and the trademark holder. 

If you have a domain theft issue, you may contact one of our domain dispute attorneys for a free evaluation or call 866.936.7447 (International Toll Free).

Domain Name Wire has great post and commentary concerning the problems presented when companies allow the web developer or host to control the domain registration.

If ICANN’s Domains Can Be Hacked, Then Your Domain Names Can Be Hacked

We get calls from companies all of the time indicating that they have lost control of their domain names.  Some companies have their registrant login information or email accounts hacked, providing the domain name thief direct access to the registrant account at the registrar level.  Some companies make critical mistakes in protecting their domain names, allowing for serious holes in their security and domain protections systems.  Other times, registrars simply screw up.

As is being reported at the domain name news, ICANN lost control of its valuable domain names as a result of a attack on the domain registrar register.com:  The full story is being reported in the New York Times in the article "ICANN Blames June Site Hijack on Registrar."   

How to Retrieve a Stolen Domain Name

In the previous post, we discussed the increase in domain theft and stolen domain names.  Companies losing control of their domains face serious consequences, especially those who have an e-commerce component to their site.  Stolen domain names are becoming more frequent.  While the best approach is to prevent domain theft, many clients contact a lawyer only after the domain dispute has reached crisis level.

Attorney Enrico Schaefer: "Traverse Legal's attorneys know how domain names are lost to partners, employees, web hosts and thrid-parties.  We also know how to cost-effectively retrieve stolen domain names which are critical to your business.  Because we are a boutique litigation law firm, we know how to strategically and efficiently accomplish our client's goals."

If you need assistance reclaiming a stolen domain name you may contact one of our  attorneys for a no-risk evaluation or call 866.936.7447 (International Toll Free).

Recovering a stolen domain name typically involves several steps.  The first is to establish either contract or trademark rights in the domain.  If the company can establish that the domain name is protected by their trademark, a good domain name lawyer can leverage that trademark against any other third-party registrant.  Only the trademark holder is allowed to register a protected domain name.

In the previous post, we discussed the increase in domain theft and stolen domain names.  Companies losing control of their domains face serious consequences, especially those who have an e-commerce component to their site.  Stolen domain names are becoming more frequent.  While the best approach is to prevent domain theft, many clients contact a lawyer only after the domain dispute has reached crisis level.

Attorney Enrico Schaefer: "Traverse Legal's attorneys know how domain names are lost to partners, employees, web hosts and thrid-parties.  We also know how to cost-effectively retrieve stolen domain names which are critical to your business.  Because we are a boutique litigation law firm, we know how to strategically and efficiently accomplish our client's goals."

If you need assistance reclaiming a stolen domain name you may contact one of our  attorneys for a no-risk evaluation or call 866.936.7447 (International Toll Free).

Recovering a stolen domain name typically involves several steps.  The first is to establish either contract or trademark rights in the domain.  If the company can establish that the domain name is protected by their trademark, a good domain name lawyer can leverage that trademark against any other third-party registrant.  Only the trademark holder is allowed to register a protected domain name.

Domain Name Theft Incidents Continue to Increase

Domain name theft presents a distinct problem from cybersquatting.  Cybersquatting is the registration or use of your trademarks and service marks by third-party registrants of infringing domains.  Domain name theft occurs when you lose control of your domain registration and domain registrant status.

Domain theft typically occurs as a result of a company’s failure to lock down or control the registrant log in information at the registrar level. Domain names are stolen in a variety of ways but typically occur when an employee, partner or web developer take control of the registrant log in information.  Each is discussed briefly below.

Domain Name Theft and Cybersquatting on the Rise

Traverse Legal’s cybersquatting attorneys have seen a dramatic increase in stolen domain names, cybersquatting and typosquatting over the last six months.  Domain name theft can occur in a variety of ways including hacking of registrant login information, unauthorized access to registrant administrative contact information and fraud at the registrar level.

Protecting Your Domain Name On The Internet

Traverse Legal's Enrico Schaefer is an internet and technology lawyer who specializes in cybersquatting and domain dispute matters. Mr. Schaefer has handled ACPA and UDRP cases involving thousands of domain names, representing both trademark registrants against cybersquatters and on behalf of domain registrants facing claims of trademark infringement and cybersquatting.  Domain names can be valuable property.  In this radio interview, Mr. Schaefer talks about the importance of protecting your domain name against domain hijackers, domain theft, cybersquatters and even your own employees and partners. Stolen domain names are becoming more common all the time.  If you don't protect your domain name from theft, you may find yourself without a website tomorrow. 

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Enom's Bogus Trademark Enforcement & Domain Theft

Most clients come to us because an employee, partner or other insider has stolen their domain name.  Essentially, the insider takes control of the registrant login information and, thus, controls the use of the domain name and the DNS.  Stolen domain names can occur in a variety of ways. 

YourReview.us has reported that Enom, the domain name registration company, has justified the seizing of their own registrants names, with unsupportable claims of trademark violation. 

Is Enom Guilty of Stealing Domain Names?

Our Internet lawyers hear the words "Someone stole my domain name" almost everyday.  Stolen domain names are becoming increasingly common as hackers, thieves, ex-employees and even registrars engage in domain name theft.  There are many things you can do to prevent someone from stealing your domain name.  Our Internet lawyers specialize in domain theft and cybersquatting matters. 

Traverse Legal has been following the Enom domain theft matter very closely.   You can find a recent post concerning this issue here. Here is another instance of Enom’s alleged domain theft from its own registrant customers based on erroneous trademark claims.

Domain Dispute And Cybersquatting Lawyers

Domain Name Attorneys: Our Internet lawyers specialize in cybersquatting matters, stolen domain names, domain name disputes and domain theft.  If you are the victim of domain name theft, have had your domain name stolen from you or need a lawyer to help you with a cybersquatting issue, our attorneys can help.  Contact us today.

Sex.Com Domain Theft: The Most Famous Stolen Domain Name in History

Here are some links to one of the most famous domain theft case to date, www.sex.com .