Domain problems

Back in 2005 I lost my domain. I've only just picked it up again, 4 years later: www.prlsoftware.com

So, what happened? A planned relocation from one host to another was hijacked. I planned top end my registration at one host by allowing the domain name to expire, then register that domain at the new host. In the mean time someone purchased the domain from under me. This is known as "Domain Drop Catching" or "Domain Sniping". It only took them moments to do from the point it was fully unregistered.

Was it illegal? No - not technically, but what happened next was either illegal or at least unethical. The new owner of the domain created a site to LOOK like it was mine, listing my company name and products. These links only lead to advertising, where they got paid per click. Meanwhile they obfuscated their contact details so that no who-is search would provide any accurate contact details.

The practice of taking up a domain name without any intention to use it for any products or services is known as Domain Parking, and is STRONGLY frowned upon. The terms for taking a domain for this purpose is variously known as Domaining, Cybersquatting, and Domaineering. There are web sites set up to name and same these domains, and until recently this domain was on those lists. Check out here and here for more details on the practice.

Actions taken to contact or dispute the domain name purchase where to no avail. I would have needed a large international legal team to wade through the paper work.

In the end they must have decided that it was no longer worth their while and they failed to renew. I was waiting for this for the past 4 years. So this time I did the quick snatch and retrieved my domain! If you get into a similar situation, keep in mind that may others also want your domain, so you may need to follow some of the tactics that Drop Catchers use themselves. More information about Drop Catching can be found here. Also - there are several web pages that list out recently dropped domains - they are worth checking out if you don't want to pay a premium to get your domain back.

It's a shame that someone sought to profit by advertising on my domain, but in a way it's lucky because they no longer needed the domain once they stopped getting revenue.