Domain problems and confusion

[MrPAYE]

I am going round in circles with this so any advice would be appreciated.

As per the WhoIs database, my domain's Registrant is my previous host and original website developer (who I moved away from 12 months ago). All other details, e.g. Registrar and Tag are correctly linked to my current host and the domain is pointing to the right servers so that's all ok.

My understanding is that the Registrant is, to all intents and purposes, the legal owner of the domain. I have therefore made several attempts to get this changed over to my own details based on my (limited) understanding of the terminology.

The problem I am having is that I am unable to get the WhoIs database changed to remove old host/developer as the Registrant. My previous contract with them makes it absolutely clear that ownership of the domain rests with me so the problem isn't about legal ownership as such but making sure the WhoIs database is correct.

The reasons why I am having trouble with this are:

• I don't have a Nominet account (as I didn't register the domain myself) so can't use the Nominet site to instigate the change
• Previous host is saying a) they don't have a Nominet account (despite Nominet telling me they DO) so can't do anything from their end to help and b) they are suggesting that WhoIs details aren't important and that they have nothing to do with my domain any more. They have basically washed their hands of the problem and there's no real point in going back to them.
• My current host has came back and said they cannot do anything - speak to Nominet
• Nominet say all they can do is advise me to either take previous host to court (i.e. pay a solicitor) or go through their mediation service (at a minimum cost of £250 and a possible cost of £750).

To complicate things further, the domain is up for renewal in a couple of weeks which current host say they will deal with.

Where do I go from here ??? Am I worrying about nothing here ? Is there any other way to get the Registrant's details changed ? Is my current host not being truthful ?

Thanks

MrP

 

[Tommo]

I'm assuming this is a .co.uk,

I'd concentrate on a "push" first, which means;

Say it's regged at DomainSite - You provide your account code and it's pushed internally so you have control (NS/Renewal ect)

However,

As far as Nominet is concerned the original registrant is still the owner (Or renter if your being pedantic) of the domain - it sounds like your getting stuck here, it should be a £30 (I think) fee and they update their details, but it's been a while since I've done it.

First step sounds like the most important one for you at the moment, get control of the domain within the registrar, deal with the registry after.

 

[MrPAYE]

I'm assuming this is a .co.uk,

I'd concentrate on a "push" first, which means;

Say it's regged at DomainSite - You provide your account code and it's pushed internally so you have control (NS/Renewal ect)

Thanks for the response.

Yes it's .co.uk. I'm not sure I understand on the "push" though. How do I get an account code and where do I provide this ?

 

[TotallySport]

have you contacted the original website developer, and asked him to change it over?

 

[MrPAYE]

have you contacted the original website developer, and asked him to change it over?

Yes, several times. They are being completely unco-operative and have made it clear they are not interested in helping me further, e.g. I suggested they spend 5 mins calling Nominet to get their login details to initiate the transfer the normal way but they said they were far too busy to do that (despite arguing with me on the phone for 15 minutes !).

I think it is safe to assume that it would be a further waste of time calling them again hence my cry for an alternative way to resolve this without it costing me an arm and a leg.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

open a 123reg account, and try to transfer the domain in. that shouold set the wheel in motion to transfer everything over to you, as then you will be dealing with a blocked transfer.

 

[MrPAYE]

open a 123reg account, and try to transfer the domain in. that shouold set the wheel in motion to transfer everything over to you, as then you will be dealing with a blocked transfer.

After initial discussions with the old host 6 months ago they did initiate a transfer of sort to me via 123-reg but this didn't allow me to do anything with it, just see the domain.

Determined to get this sorted once and for all, I logged back into 123-reg last week but the domain was no longer attributed to me in their system and their support couldn't tell me why that was or where the domain had gone. Subsequent discussion with old host proved fruitless so I gave up with 123-reg.

This is where I get confused as I'm not sure what the purpose of the original 123-reg transfer was if I couldn't change any of the details on WhoIs and what has happened to the domain in their system ?

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Pm Me the domain name I will take a look so there is no guessing

 

[andygambles]

The current domain registrant (your developer) needs to read this

http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/maintain/transfer/Process/

They will be able to login to the Nominet website using the email address associated with the domain.

If they do not have the details they can request them here

https://secure.nominet.org.uk/auth/access-your-account.html

The current TAG holder will have an account with Nominet (that is how they get a TAG) unless they are actually a reseller using a third parties TAG. So they should also be able to create an account for you and assign the domain to that account. You can then complete the transfer process above (still cost you £10+VAT).

If you want to contact me I can do this all for you as part of our domain rescue service. Cost is £99 + VAT (no fee if I can not complete the process).

 

[TotallySport]

I recommend ringing nominet, they are very good and will tell you the best way to move forward

 

[MrPAYE]

I recommend ringing nominet, they are very good and will tell you the best way to move forward

Done that already. They couldn't help other than suggest I take legal action or use their mediation service which isn't really that helpful.

 

[MrPAYE]

The current domain registrant (your developer) needs to read this

http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/maintain/transfer/Process/

They will be able to login to the Nominet website using the email address associated with the domain.

If they do not have the details they can request them here

https://secure.nominet.org.uk/auth/access-your-account.html

The current TAG holder will have an account with Nominet (that is how they get a TAG) unless they are actually a reseller using a third parties TAG. So they should also be able to create an account for you and assign the domain to that account. You can then complete the transfer process above (still cost you £10+VAT).

If you want to contact me I can do this all for you as part of our domain rescue service. Cost is £99 + VAT (no fee if I can not complete the process).

The old host is not interested in wasting any time contacting Nominet so that route is closed.

I am assuming my host is a reseller using a third party tag as the Tag is a different name than my host

 

[TotallySport]

The old host is not interested in wasting any time contacting Nominet so that route is closed.

I am assuming my host is a reseller using a third party tag as the Tag is a different name than my host

How about suggesting you pay the old web developers say £100 for their time to changing the information over.

Other than that i don't know and wish you luck.

 

[andygambles]

The old host is not interested in wasting any time contacting Nominet so that route is closed.

I am assuming my host is a reseller using a third party tag as the Tag is a different name than my host

Whoever the current tag holder is will be able to create you a Nominet account and associate you with the domain. You can then complete the transfer process yourself.

Contact the current tag holder for help or transfer to a tag holder willing to help you.

You can find out the company the Tag belongs to from this list

http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/becomeregistrar/taglist/

 

[MrPAYE]

Whoever the current tag holder is will be able to create you a Nominet account and associate you with the domain. You can then complete the transfer process yourself.

Contact the current tag holder for help or transfer to a tag holder willing to help you.

You can find out the company the Tag belongs to from this list

http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/becomeregistrar/taglist/

Ok, thanks.

I have just had a response from the Tag Holder basically saying that they can't assist as I do not have a direct account with them so they have referred me back to my reseller (current host) to resolve the issue.

As I said in my first post I am going round in circles as my current host has already said they can;t help and referred me to Nominet who also said they can;t help and referred me to old host.....

Any other ideas (that are not going to cost me £100+) ?

 

[TotallySport]

Ok, thanks.

I have just had a response from the Tag Holder basically saying that they can't assist as I do not have a direct account with them so they have referred me back to my reseller (current host) to resolve the issue.

As I said in my first post I am going round in circles as my current host has already said they can;t help and referred me to Nominet who also said they can;t help and referred me to old host.....

Any other ideas (that are not going to cost me £100+) ?

did your web developers give a reason why they wouldn't help? in theory they are spending their time sorting out an issue, if you offer to pay them for the service they are more likely to do it, they aren't going to do it for free, and if they did it, it would be the quickest way of fixing it and you need a quick fix. Maybe don't offer £100 ask them how much they want, but £100 for something so significant is £100 well spent IMO.

 

[robertt]

Or:

- http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/maintain/transfer/non-chargeable/ you can request nominet to do a 'registrant correction' where you sign an indemnity form.

- DRS them , its free to start and you would win.


Nominet can solve this for you without the cooperation of the third party.

 

[andygambles]

Or:

- http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/maintain/transfer/non-chargeable/ you can request nominet to do a 'registrant correction' where you sign an indemnity form.

- DRS them , its free to start and you would win.


Nominet can solve this for you without the cooperation of the third party.

But the OP needs a Nominet account to start with and the Tag holder will not set one up for him.

 

[stender]

Ask them again nicely and if not tell them you are going to name and shame on here and several other web forums. All they have to do is log into their nominet account on the web and intitiate a transfer to your email address of choice. You get charged £12 and thats it.
Do you have a site up and running? and does it have your details on it?

This is a very very common dodgey practice by web developers and I'm aware of many many cases of this happening.
Pm me the domain.

 

[robertt]

But the OP needs a Nominet account to start with and the Tag holder will not set one up for him.

Nope thats wrong.

Nominet will create an account for him as part of the 'registration correction' process.

I have done it many a time for myself and clients, using the old paper based process and online services system.

 

[andygambles]

Nope thats wrong.

Nominet will create an account for him as part of the 'registration correction' process.

I have done it many a time for myself and clients, using the old paper based process and online services system.

My understanding was the Paper based process no longer existing and it was all online now?

 

[stender]

the online transfer just requires an email address for the new registrant, regardless of having a nominet account or not. THey will get an email from nom and can create an account there and then.

 

[andygambles]

the online transfer just requires an email address for the new registrant, regardless of having a nominet account or not. THey will get an email from nom and can create an account there and then.

Yes but the current email contact will not initiate the transfer according to the OP.

 

[MrPAYE]

Yes but the current email contact will not initiate the transfer according to the OP.

Correct, hence the problem.

I have received very good advice both online and offline from you guys and, based on this, I am in the process of writing formally to the old host to try to get them to process the transfer and if that fails then I will be using Nominet's Dispute Resolution service to get it pushed through as my case is apparently sound.

Thanks for all help !

 

[robertt]

My understanding was the Paper based process no longer existing and it was all online now?

That is why I said 'old paper based process'. Old meaning in the past etc etc

Correct, hence the problem.

I have received very good advice both online and offline from you guys and, based on this, I am in the process of writing formally to the old host to try to get them to process the transfer and if that fails then I will be using Nominet's Dispute Resolution service to get it pushed through as my case is apparently sound.

Thanks for all help !

check the registrant correction via Nominet as its cheaper than a DRS if it goes to a decision full / default.