Old Domain Owner

[MJSolutions]

Hello BT.

The first thing I want to say is how difficult it is to find a contact form where I can try to reach someone WITHOUT having a BT customer number. I've had to go through the forums, and no-one on the phone will talk to me.

There is a pub near where I live that had closed down, but is now open for business with new owners. I (my company) has been asked to redo the website for the pub: http://www.thekingsarmsinn.org.uk which is hosted by someone who used to run the pub: Shaun and Emma Barnes. I can't get in contact with them, and that website needs to be taken down, as it is giving false information and the wrong telephone number. It is obviously on auto-renew because it has recently been renewed, and Shaun now works for a different pub, so why would they want to renew it?

This domain name needs to be transferred to us, and if you contact Emma Barnes, I'm sure she will agree.

Regards,

Marcus

[Sogo7]

Hate to tell you this Marcus but you're barking up the wrong tree.

1. For obvious reasons of privacy BT will not talk to you about another customers account.

2. BT does not control the domain name registration service in the UK.

Shaun may now work for a different pub but if it is also called the Kings Arms then he would want to keep the domain name for later re-use. Even if it's not they are still under no obligation to sell or transfer the name to anybody. After all 'The Kings Arms' is a very common name for a public house in the UK so there is no way your client can claim it would be exclusive to them.

If the new owner of the Kings Arms in Stockland wants that particular domain name that badly then they will need their solicitor to open up a dialogue with Nominet who control the registration service and settle disputes http://www.nominet.org.uk/disputes/

In the meantime you could try for a DCMA takedown notice being issued to the  ISP/ webhost providing a home for the website,  this sort of thing is typically used for copyright infringement, improper use of a logo or images etc so may be worth a shot.

Personally I'd kick the ball back to the client, after all you are a web designer not a private detective! Best thing to do is get another domain name like Kings_Arms_Stockland dot whatever

[MJSolutions]

Hi .

I know that nominet controls the domain registration service, but getting in contact with Emma Barnes is the number one priority, and only BT can do that (only the name appears on a Whois lookup).

Shaun works for a different pub, but it's not called the King's Arms. The website says "The kings arms is now closed", which is certainly is not. They want that domain because Shaun and Emma posted it to every Pub guide and review site they came across, and it gets all the traffic. I have already got in touch with a solicitor, but the easiest way would be to get Emma Barnes email address. I guess I have to go down a legal route, even though they would gladly help me. I bet they don't even know that they renewed and paid for the domain name (it was auto-renewed about a month ago).

I didn't think of DCMA, thanks!

I'm a web designer who wants this Pub's business so it's in my interest to take down the site.

Thanks anyway!

[OldWolf]

Hi,

BT hosts the domain.  If there are any technical issues with it then they would deal with them.  Nothing else.

The person who owns the domain calls every other shot on it and, as Sogo said, BT can't actually speak to them on your behalf.  That's all up to your client to do, because if BT did it then it would be a breach of the Data Protection Act.

Sorry you (or your client) aren't happy with that, but them's the rules and you just have to suck it up.  Don't get me wrong you were as well asking, but getting arsey because you don't like the reality doesn't change the facts.

Cheers.

Dave A

[Seraphsailor]

The pub appears to have quite a large internet footprint; tripadvisor and real inns being just two examples; so there is a fair amount of "goodwill" that new owners would like to take forward. If the domain is on auto-renew then it could be an easy oversight for the previous owners; and more especially if the ISP doesn't send out an auto-reminder that a renewal fee will be taken in the near future

A Shaun Barnes and an Emma Barnes, in Exeter, can be found on http://www.192.com    I'm not saying these are the peeps you are looking for - just that a high level data search indicates a similarity.

[MJSolutions]

I wasn't getting arsey and you're actually wrong. If they are misrepresenting a business or organisation, it's not really allowed. A domain dispute through nominet would probably work in our favour, and I'm currently gathering evidence. Thanks, I've already tracked them down, but if they don't comply, then the resolution service is the only option.

[knobbster]

I agree with Sogo. It is standard for all company that the account must be verified before making any changes on it especially over the phone.

In this case, it's best to contact the owner first.

[shaun1977]

HI,

Im the Shaun your looking for.<removed by MOD>.

Shaun

[Seraphsailor]

Hi Shaun,

the mods aren't keen on personal details/email to be posted direct to be forum as they believe that it can lead to spamming and the like.

Best if you can edit your post (under "Options") and remove your email address, and as you are registered then send a private message to the original poster.

Anyway, welcome!