Wrestling Away A Domain Name

[GOF]

I was thinking about a domain name, and when I look it up I found that it is arleady taken.

But what irks me is that, though its an obscure kind of name, it has been registered by a domain "investment" company. I don't know what all to call them but they are folks that register thousands of names and hope to charge people an arm and a leg for them if they want to use them.

Is there any way to wrestle it away without paying these companies THOUSANDS of dollars for the name?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Greg

[TweezerMan]

But what irks me is that, though its an obscure kind of name, it has been registered by a domain "investment" company.  I don't know what all to call them but they are folks that register thousands of names and hope to charge people an arm and a leg for them if they want to use them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've heard them referred to as 'cyber squatters' and 'domain squatters'.

 

Is there any way to wrestle it away without paying these companies THOUSANDS of dollars for the name?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Other than wait for the domain registration to expire and hope the company does not renew it, not really. What keeps you from 'wrestling' a domain name away from such a company is also what keeps someone from wrestling your domain name away from you.

[jwbowden]

Is there any way to wrestle it away without paying these companies THOUSANDS of dollars for the name?

 

Most companies that offer domain registration also offer domain "backordering". For a small fee (usually around $20 or less) they'll monitor the domain name and as soon as it expires they will attempt to register it in your name. No guarantees, but the only alternative is to do that yourself.

 

You should be able to see the expiration date for the registration using any number of available "whois" registration lookup interfaces on the web. I use Godaddy.com. Their domain search page is HERE

 

John

[annie]

I had a similar problem recently. The domain name I really wanted was taken. I played around with it, until I found a variation that hadn't been registered. It worked out quite well in the end.

 

Here's hoping you can do the same thing!

[Pendragon]

I had one of my domains expire and picked up by a bulk registrar. I sent them documentation that I had previously used the domain in my business (it was in fact, the business website) and they transferred it back to me, no charge.

 

I guess it was easier to do that than risk being sued for trademark/copyright issues.

[whoahorse]

Hi GOF! Welcome to the forums!

 

The best thing to do (IMO) when the domain is taken that you want is to pick something different. You can always monitor that domain name, but move on in the meantime.

 

You can make a different name or choose a different extension (.net,.org) etc.

 

Weezy

[mr_lucas]

Hello everybody.

 

it is not good when a domain you want is not available but try this one on for size my wife's friend had her domain for at least 4 years somthing .net and last month sombody registered the same name under .com but the sad thing is that it is a I AM A SPAMMER site

 

your site name.net clean , there site name.com I AM A SPAMMER

Edited April 26, 2005 by mr_lucas

[Patricia]

Mr Lucas, yes i can see that being a problem, but that's why someone should get .com .net .org and perhaps the rest of them of your domain name, and have them point towards your website.. it may sound like it costs alot, but in reality, if it's a business site, it may save you some pain, agony and even bring more business to you.

 

and since apparently (via godaddy) that it is legal for someone to pick up a domain name with "sucks" on the end of it, and they can use your domain, i guess with freedom of speech, or if they don't like say "ford" or what not.. i guess that might be a good idea as well to pick those up. who says planning for the future is a bad thing =)

 

But if it's just a domain for your interests, it may sound like a big investment. its up to you though.

 

 

Patricia