What to do with threats?

domainer · 29-03-2006, 03:05:53 PM

Today I received an enquiry about a domain name I have owned since 2000. An offer was made for �30 - it is a co.uk that was bought for a project but never used. I replied I would not be interested in the current offer but did not solicit a larger one.

The reply was:

Hello xxxx,

Thank you for coming back to me about this.

The offer I have made is based on the price we pay for domain name, I am not prepared to offer more because my alternative action is to pursue getting the name back via legal means; have a read of this and come back to me: http://www.nominet.org.uk/disputes/drs/

We have gone through this process before and have got the domains back on all three occasions.

If you want me to pick up the cost for domain transfer I am prepared to do that also but it�s is up to you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Is this guy for real?

Any advice? The domain is not a trademark and the co.uk was the only domain extention regged untill they regged the com 10 days ago.

rob · 29-03-2006, 03:09:18 PM

Depends on the domain, if you think you have a strong position say you will look forward to defending the DRS

retired_member11 · 29-03-2006, 03:21:47 PM

Ask them to reveal the three other domains so that your legal rep can take a closer look at their grounds. An entirely reasonable request.

olebean · 29-03-2006, 03:25:03 PM

Domainer

I would reply thanking them for the email, state you feel you are the bona fid holder of the domain and are unaware of having breached any of nominets rules. Equally, you are concerned that the manner of approach does not explain their reasoning or belief of legitimacy.

You should ask them to explain further, why they believe they have rights to the domain....

tifosi · 29-03-2006, 04:09:49 PM

1. Check the DRS policy. Have you used the domain in an abusive way? Not using the domain is NOT abuse.

2. KEEP THE MAILS. It is evidence that THEY contacted you. And that you did not originally solicit a $$$ from them.

3. Is the domain generic? Did you register the domain with knowledge / or intent to sell to their company?

4. If they are a registered company then they are close to blackmailing you. Hard to prove, but the evidence is there... the mail is malicious at least.

I'd not engage them further. No more exchanges unless they invoke the drs.

S

Whois-Search · 29-03-2006, 06:03:42 PM

Tell him he can have it for �750

aquanuke · 29-03-2006, 06:35:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whois-Search

Tell him he can have it for �750

Plus 17.5% �881.25

paymatters · 29-03-2006, 06:43:24 PM

I'd have thought because they've offered you something for the domain they've accepted that you legally own it! (and that this will work against them)

retired_member6 · 29-03-2006, 06:49:22 PM

I'd reply with 'orange horse curtain burp' and leave it at that.

They've bought a dot com and then threatened a DRS days after? they state they've done this trick thrice before and the defendent rightly told them to ahem 'clear off' and then they went on to win each case? Use my reply after finding out what the three previous domains were.

Only by knowing those three domains will you prove their scam and no reply equally so and three cases from the same complainant? Hardly... what's the whois name, does it match to any previous case? Check http://www.nominet.org.uk/disputes/drs/decisions/ of course the defendent could have buckled at mediation or seen payment made but we'll never know due to the silly way mediation is hidden from the public.

After reading their form of English it would suggest they're foreigners on a scam. Once word gets out about the DRS, and it will in the end, I suspect there will be tons of scams just like this one and unfortunately some will give in and just accept the threat without realising what has happened.

Edit: Furthermore, name and shame the scam artists if that's what they are.

mikeb · 09-04-2006, 04:58:56 PM

Those characters look like thieves.
Giv'em nothing.
They'll NEVER pay a decent price.
Theives never do.

29-03-2006, 03:05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
domainer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 105 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	What to do with threats? Today I received an enquiry about a domain name I have owned since 2000. An offer was made for �30 - it is a co.uk that was bought for a project but never used. I replied I would not be interested in the current offer but did not solicit a larger one. The reply was: Hello xxxx, Thank you for coming back to me about this. The offer I have made is based on the price we pay for domain name, I am not prepared to offer more because my alternative action is to pursue getting the name back via legal means; have a read of this and come back to me: http://www.nominet.org.uk/disputes/drs/ We have gone through this process before and have got the domains back on all three occasions. If you want me to pick up the cost for domain transfer I am prepared to do that also but it�s is up to you. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Is this guy for real? Any advice? The domain is not a trademark and the co.uk was the only domain extention regged untill they regged the com 10 days ago.

29-03-2006, 03:09:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
rob Founding Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,976 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 37)	Depends on the domain, if you think you have a strong position say you will look forward to defending the DRS __________________ Eat more chips! Dont let salad win! hey. how to sell a website \| sell your website to me whats the number for milk tokens? TDA Blue Badge Wrexham News Wrexham Weather Owain Glyndwr

29-03-2006, 06:43:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
paymatters Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 360 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 2)	I'd have thought because they've offered you something for the domain they've accepted that you legally own it! (and that this will work against them) __________________ PAYE Umbrella Company

29-03-2006, 06:49:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
retired_member6 Banned Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,643 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 41)	I'd reply with 'orange horse curtain burp' and leave it at that. They've bought a dot com and then threatened a DRS days after? they state they've done this trick thrice before and the defendent rightly told them to ahem 'clear off' and then they went on to win each case? Use my reply after finding out what the three previous domains were. Only by knowing those three domains will you prove their scam and no reply equally so and three cases from the same complainant? Hardly... what's the whois name, does it match to any previous case? Check http://www.nominet.org.uk/disputes/drs/decisions/ of course the defendent could have buckled at mediation or seen payment made but we'll never know due to the silly way mediation is hidden from the public. After reading their form of English it would suggest they're foreigners on a scam. Once word gets out about the DRS, and it will in the end, I suspect there will be tons of scams just like this one and unfortunately some will give in and just accept the threat without realising what has happened. Edit: Furthermore, name and shame the scam artists if that's what they are. Last edited by retired_member6; 29-03-2006 at 06:58:15 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

29-03-2006, 03:21:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
retired_member11 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 974 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 1)	Ask them to reveal the three other domains so that your legal rep can take a closer look at their grounds. An entirely reasonable request.

29-03-2006, 03:25:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
olebean Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rarotonga Posts: 2,240 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 1)	Domainer I would reply thanking them for the email, state you feel you are the bona fid holder of the domain and are unaware of having breached any of nominets rules. Equally, you are concerned that the manner of approach does not explain their reasoning or belief of legitimacy. You should ask them to explain further, why they believe they have rights to the domain....

29-03-2006, 04:09:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
tifosi Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1,906 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 9)	1. Check the DRS policy. Have you used the domain in an abusive way? Not using the domain is NOT abuse. 2. KEEP THE MAILS. It is evidence that THEY contacted you. And that you did not originally solicit a $$$ from them. 3. Is the domain generic? Did you register the domain with knowledge / or intent to sell to their company? 4. If they are a registered company then they are close to blackmailing you. Hard to prove, but the evidence is there... the mail is malicious at least. I'd not engage them further. No more exchanges unless they invoke the drs. S

29-03-2006, 06:03:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Whois-Search Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Swad.com Posts: 1,480 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 2)	Tell him he can have it for �750

09-04-2006, 04:58:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
mikeb Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	Those characters look like thieves. Giv'em nothing. They'll NEVER pay a decent price. Theives never do.