Getting a domain name back

[hjo3]

Okay, so this small business I do work for sometimes had a domain name a couple years ago. They put the URL in their phone book ad and on some stationary. Through some mix up, they accidentally let the domain expire (management says they paid *someone* in regards to the domain name, but I think they got scammed).

Anyway, the site now has some NetworkSolutions page on it. The Whois info all points to NetworkSolutions, and they won't provide anything beyond that. In other words, I can't tell who the squatter is (or if it's NetworkSolutions themself). They have an option where you can pay $19 to "make an offer" of at least $100 to buy the DN from someone (implying that it's a third party that snatched up the DN).

What's the cheapest way to get the DN back? Is there some kind of legal action to force them to give it back? It's not really trademarked, but the address is on a lot of forms and stuff -- and it's specific enough (the name includes the city where the business is, which only has a pop. of 34,000) that I can't imagine anyone else has a legitimate use for the name.

Is it worth it to use a service to snatch the DN when it expires?

 

[JackMDS]

To pay the $100.

Taking a lawyer or any other assitance action would cost more.

If it does not worth $100 they can get another Domain.

 

[hjo3]

K, thanks. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't a much easier method I wasn't aware of.

 

[kevnich2]

If they're only going to offer $100 for the domain, buy another one. I've had domains that people have offered 1,000's of $$'s for.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
If they're only going to offer $100 for the domain, buy another one. I've had domains that people have offered 1,000's of $$'s for.

Good for you? I guarantee that this particular business is the only entity that will ever want this domain name. If the cybersquatter doesn't sell it for $100, he's a fool since no one else will ever want this particular DN and management won't budge on the offer.

 

[kevnich2]

Make them the offer and see what happens. Although I doubt they'd only sell for $100. I'm not saying they'll only settle for a few thousand but just $100 is kind of low IMO, especially if it's for a business website that'll generate revenue.

 

[cmetz]

hjo3, if they let the domain expire, they don't own it anymore. If they want to own it again, they have to buy it - no matter what the cost. I can't think of any reason why a court would void the new owner's purchase of the domain name.

First, they need to make a fair and honest assessment of how much they are willing to pay for the domain name. That is to say, how much will it cost to drop it and move on? (reprint documents, possible lost contacts, etc.) This is extremely important as a first step in any dollar negotiation - know what the max you're willing to pay is.

Then make an offer and see what happens.

Most domain squatters will take a return on their investment over letting domains sit from year to year with no revenue.

 

[kevnich2]

I agree with cmetz. $100 IMO isn't a large amount at all for a domain name when considering the business is already using that domain on their letterhead. Depending on company size, a few grand would be a more reasonable amount. But again, it depends on the size of the company. If a person did buy it and aren't using it, I don't see anyone actually siding with the company to forcibly transfer the domain back to the company, especially since they allowed the domain to expire.

 

[hjo3]

Look, I really don't care that much -- it's their decision. Obviously, the name isn't worth that much to them. They already have a new one anyway, they just wanted the old one as a mirror in case anyone was using outdated materials. I only wanted to know if there were any alternatives to the "offer" option.

 

[Frintin]

"squatting" can be reported using the following link

ICANN Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy