How to find out who owns a domain name
Need to uncover the identity behind a domain? Whether you’re looking to verify ownership for a potential purchase or address legal concerns like copyright infringement, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you how to easily and effectively find out who owns a domain name.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is your unique address on the Internet, making it easy for users to find websites. It consists of two parts: the name and the domain extension. We have a very thorough article on all of the different parts of the domain name here. For instance, in the domain example.com, “example” is the name and “.com” is the extension (or top-level domain). Domain names help identify and address websites, allowing users to remember and access resources without the hassle of typing long numerical IP addresses.
The domain registration process kicks off with selecting a catchy name and a suitable extension. This usually happens through online platforms where you can check if the domain is available and pay for its use for a specified period (typically ranging from one to ten years). Once registered, the domain is yours to manage. You can change DNS records, redirect traffic, or connect it to various services.
Why do you need to know who owns a domain?
1. Legal reasons
One of the most common reasons to find out who owns a domain is legal. If you discover someone using a domain that infringes on your trademarks or brand, knowing the owner is, dare we say it, pretty important for filing a complaint or initiating a domain transfer.
Additionally, if you’re involved in a dispute over domain ownership, identifying the owner is key to protecting your interests. In some cases, domain owners may face lawsuits if their domains violate others’ rights or are used for unethical purposes, i.e. for cybersquatting.
2. Business purposes
Want to buy a domain that’s already registered? Your first step is to find out who owns it. This will help you reach out to the owner to discuss purchase terms or negotiate a potential partnership. If the domain isn’t actively used, you might even offer to buy it or lease it for your needs. And all of that starts with identifying the domain owner.
3. Security issues
Knowing the owner of a domain is also vital for protecting your business or personal data. Scammers often register domains similar to established brands to deceive users through phishing or other fraudulent activities. Identifying the domain owner lets you find out if they’re misusing your brand. Plus, if the domain is or was linked to viruses, spyware, or other malicious activities, it’s essential to contact the owner quickly to mitigate the threat.
There’s lots of different scenarios here that will be covered later in the SpaceLama blog, but for now, let’s focus on the task at hand: finding the real owner of the domain name.
Methods to find domain ownership information
1. WHOIS protocol
WHOIS is a protocol that lets you access information about registered domains. With WHOIS, you can find the contact details of the domain owner, the registrar, and the registration and expiration dates. This information is publicly available unless the owner has opted for data protection.
To perform a WHOIS search, you can use online services such as:
- ICANN WHOIS (https://whois.icann.org)
- WHOIS.net (https://www.whois.net)
- Whois Lookup (https://www.whois.com/whois/)
These free tools allow you to enter a domain and retrieve ownership information. Keep in mind that for domains with WHOIS protection enabled, the owner’s contact details will be hidden.
2. Domain registrar’s website
Every domain is registered through a specific registrar. You can visit the registrar’s website and use their contact form or other communication channels to inquire about the domain owner. Many registrars even offer an anonymous contact form, allowing you to reach out to the owner if their information is hidden.
3. Using domain name markets
If a domain is up for sale or actively traded, you can often find the owner through specialized platforms for buying and selling domain names (think Sedo or Flippa). These marketplaces may provide the owner’s contact information or offer a contact form to get in touch.
4. Contacting web hosting providers
Some domain owners host their sites with specific web hosting providers. If that’s the case, you can reach out to the hosting companies associated with the domain. They may be able to provide information about the owner or help you get in touch, especially if the domain is linked to an active website.
Privacy protection and what it means for domain ownership
Domain Privacy Protection, also known as WHOIS Protection, is a service offered by domain registrars that allows owners to hide their personal information in the WHOIS database. When this service is enabled, instead of displaying the owner’s real contact details, WHOIS shows the information of an intermediary company (like the registrar or a protection provider). This adds an extra layer of security for domain owners, shielding them from unwanted activities such as spam, phishing, and other security threats.
For instance, rather than revealing the actual address of the domain owner, WHOIS might display the contact information of a proxy service that acts as a go-between for contacting the owner. This protection is especially popular among domain owners who prefer to keep their personal information private.
WHOIS Protection can (and should) make it challenging to directly identify the domain owner, as many contact details (including email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses) are concealed.
However, it’s important to note that just because a domain is protected it doesn’t mean the owner is impossible to find. In some cases, you might still see a contact form in WHOIS provided by the protection service.
If the domain is protected, WHOIS will only display information about the protection provider, like Domains By Proxy or similar companies. While this can make direct contact more challenging, you can still reach out through a contact form or an intermediary.
What to do if you can’t find ownership information
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to find the owner of a domain (especially if it’s protected or the owner is using a WHOIS obfuscation service). In such cases, here are several strategies to help you track down the owner or resolve the issue. Just make sure you don’t get too carried away with it and go in the gray area of the law.
1. Using third-party services to contact the domain owner
If standard WHOIS searches don’t yield results, consider using third-party services that specialize in acting as intermediaries for domain matters.
- Intermediary Services. Some companies offer services to help you contact domain owners through their platform. For example, marketplaces like Sedo or Flippa often allow you to send a message to the owner via a contact form on their site. This can be particularly useful if the domain is for sale or if you’re looking to negotiate a partnership.
- Using a WHOIS proxy service. Many registrars and WHOIS privacy services (such as Domains By Proxy) provide a contact form to reach the domain owner. Even if their contact details are hidden, you can send a request through the proxy, which will forward your message to the owner. They may or may not respond, but it’s worth a shot. Just don’t creep them out with hundreds of unsolicited messages and definitely do not make any threats or break the law in any way.
2. Legal steps to take
If your search through public resources and proxy services doesn’t yield results, and the situation calls for serious action (like trademark infringement or illegal use of the domain), consider the following legal steps:
- Contacting a lawyer. If the domain is infringing on your rights (such as a trademark or patent), it’s wise to consult a lawyer who specializes in internet law. They can suggest legal avenues for finding the owner and initiating proceedings if the domain is indeed infringing on your rights. This might include filing a lawsuit to transfer the domain or demanding that it cease being used.
- Filing a complaint with ICANN. If a domain is being used to infringe on your trademarks or is being operated in bad faith, you can file a complaint with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). ICANN oversees the domain system and has a process for resolving disputes related to domains, especially in cases of trademark infringement.
A notable example of a company resolving a domain dispute through ICANN is Microsoft v. MikeRoweSoft.com. In 2003, 17-year-old Canadian student Mike Rowe registered the domain MikeRoweSoft.com as a playful nod to Microsoft. Microsoft filed a complaint under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), claiming the domain infringed on their trademark. Ultimately, the domain was transferred to Microsoft, but the company later acknowledged that its actions could be seen as excessive (meaning they faced huge negative backlash and tons of negative press) and reached a private settlement with Rowe, giving him an Xbox and other products in exchange for the domain.
- Filing a lawsuit. If all of the above methods fail and the domain is being used in a way that infringes on your rights, you can file a lawsuit. Litigation can be complex and expensive, but it is a last resort if all other avenues for resolving a dispute have been exhausted.
Facebook recently went on the offensive (in this case, read: went unhinged), filing a lawsuit against registrar Namecheap and its WHOIS protection service, WhoisGuard. The tech giant accuses them of enabling the registration of misleading domains that infringe on Facebook’s trademarks, including facebo0k-login.com and instagrambusinesshelp.com. Facebook claims that Namecheap has refused to disclose the owners of these domains, despite multiple requests from the company.
If you find yourself unable to locate the owner of a domain, don’t lose hope. There are options available, such as utilizing third-party services that act as intermediaries or leveraging WHOIS protection services to help bridge the gap.
However, it’s essential to remember that sometimes, despite our best efforts, it may just not be meant to be. Privacy is a fundamental right, and many domain owners choose to protect their personal information for valid reasons.
In cases where serious violations occur, such as trademark infringement or other legal concerns, it may be necessary to consider taking more formal action. This could involve consulting with an attorney who specializes in internet law to explore your options. You might also think about filing a complaint with ICANN or, in extreme cases, pursuing a lawsuit to protect your rights.
Ultimately, while the journey to uncover domain ownership can be challenging, it’s crucial to respect the privacy of individuals while also standing firm in the protection of your own rights.
And to safeguard your own privacy, consider registering your domains with privacy-oriented registrars like SpaceLama. These registrars prioritize the protection of your personal information, ensuring that your credentials remain confidential and are not publicly accessible in the WHOIS database. By choosing a registrar that values privacy, you can maintain control over your information and prevent unwanted inquiries or potential misuse.