Registering a domain name

[Miji]

So I want to register a domain name, but it's taken by one of those places that just puts mostly text ads on the page. Is there any chance of buying the domain name without going through undue hassle?

[Jeryhn]

You can, oftentimes these domains will have a link to whoever currently operates it where you can buy it online. However, they tend to be grossly overpriced because these domains can be used to generate advertising dollars.

If you don't want your wallet to get raped, just wait for the domain to expire.

[Miji]

From what I can tell, the name expires in April 2008.. What is the information from a whois query that leads me to the best group to contact about getting the name?

[Semitry]

From what I can tell, the name expires in April 2008.. What is the information from a whois query that leads me to the best group to contact about getting the name?

They probably auto renew the domain name. Email them and find out how much they want but expect to pay 4k+.

[Jeryhn]

From what I can tell, the name expires in April 2008.. What is the information from a whois query that leads me to the best group to contact about getting the name?

Damn, April 08 is pretty far out there.

Contact information will usually be labeled as "Registrant" under a whois search. Most times it'll contain the name and address of the person who registered the domain, and in the case of a web company, it'll almost always have a contact number + email you can use to contact them.

[miokomioko]

Hopefully this might apply to you.

Anticybersquatting Act

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticybers ... ection_Act

[Allundaria]

Some domains have privacy guards on them and will replace the registrant information with other data, usually that of the registrar. For these cases an anonymous front email is provided for the domain owner so you would direct your emails to there and they will be forwarded to the proper parties.

I work for a company that deals in domain names, and I'll confirm what people have said here: expect to pay a LOT. We don't take offers any less than five digits usually, and that's even for ultra crappy domains. Basically for parked domains (those that those text ads), there is no real content or hosting requirement so if the domain can generate $6.00 in ad revenue a year to cover registration costs the owner is happy. There is always the potential for that domain to suddenly get more traffic and resulting ad revenue due to some new product or fad on the market, so your offer will have to address these issues.

Aside from watching the expiry and hoping the company's domain manager isn't on the ball, you can also make a legal inquiry if the domain infringes upon one of your trademarks or copyrights. Typically they won't want to go through the hassle of arbitration and contesting the domain and will agree to either relinquish the domain to you immediate if the threat is dire, or to let the domain expire and have you snap it up.

[Devek]

I work for a company that deals in domain names, and I'll confirm what people have said here: expect to pay a LOT. We don't take offers any less than five digits usually, and that's even for ultra crappy domains.

Wow. So you fail for a living?

Domain squatters can

[Miji]

So basically there's no chance I'll get it.. The name was just something meaningful to me and a group of friends, so there's no copyright infringement I could base a claim on... It's a shame that companies exist to deny these kinds of situations.

[Devek]

Well ya know.. some companies can make useful products that people want. Other take what you want and try to sell it back to you.

I enjoy taking pride in my work and being able to sleep at night knowing my customers are better off with me in the world :/

A domain can't even expire anymore... The domain squatters got it setup so they automatically register any domain that expires. Once a domain is registered it is practically registered forever now because when it expires from one squatter another goes and picks it up.

Your only real option is to visit the "owner" with a baseball bat and beat some sense into him. It is fun.. from what I hear anyway.

[Allundaria]

I work for a company that deals in domain names, and I'll confirm what people have said here: expect to pay a LOT. We don't take offers any less than five digits usually, and that's even for ultra crappy domains.

Wow. So you fail for a living?

Domain squatters can

It's one of our business units, yes, but thankfully not our primary one Most major registrars like Moniker, eNom, and so forth maintain domain parking divisions so it's more common than you think.

It's particularly bad with registrars because if THEY see your juicy domain expiring it will often fall into the hands of their parking unit. Legit registrars have a grace period with which you can reclaim the domain, but there are few no-good evildoers in the industry space.

Exhibit A: the GoDaddy debacle

To Miji: my best advice to you as someone in the field is to watch the renewal of the domain and not give it any traffic whatsoever. If the domain doesn't generate traffic and gets zero conversions and ad dollars, most parking companies will relinquish the domain at some point.

[Takedown3]

I work for a company that deals in domain names, and I'll confirm what people have said here: expect to pay a LOT. We don't take offers any less than five digits usually, and that's even for ultra crappy domains.

Wow. So you fail for a living?

Domain squatters can

yes he fails at living because his company buys/sells domains, sounds like someone got fucked over by "the man"

my company also holds the rights to several thousand domains that we constantly let auto-renew

your best best is to go .org .ca or .net mebbe even .tv

[Yensho]

your best best is to go .org .ca or .net mebbe even .tv

That's what happened to me when i was creating a website for my ls. me and my friend tried to create it, but there was already a domain registered for .com, but we checked .net, it was open, and we took it.

[Devek]

I work for a company that deals in domain names, and I'll confirm what people have said here: expect to pay a LOT. We don't take offers any less than five digits usually, and that's even for ultra crappy domains.

Wow. So you fail for a living?

Domain squatters can

yes he fails at living because his company buys/sells domains, sounds like someone got fucked over by "the man"

my company also holds the rights to several thousand domains that we constantly let auto-renew

your best best is to go .org .ca or .net mebbe even .tv

More proof.. the worst warrior in the history of FFXI who had to have his hand held by this forum on how to play the game, gear his character, and even what to merit is a domain squatter.

Fail.

[Allundaria]

I'd contend that it's a bit patriarchal to gauge someone's worth as a human being based on what they do for a living

[Devek]

I'd contend that it's a bit patriarchal to gauge someone's worth as a human being based on what they do for a living

You could contend that it would be a bit patriarchal to gauge someone's worth based off what their FATHER did for a living.

Of course you are an entire industry that makes up like "value" and "real estate" without having any sort of educated idea what those things actually mean.

You can defiantly judge someone based off what they do. Prostitutes are not well regarded yet they provide services that people want for a fair price.

You are a parasite to society and live off of it no different than someone who collects welfare checks all day.

[Miji]

This is getting ridiculous.. I can't get a domain name that has any 2 words properly spelled in the name.