Legals changing domain holder?

[golddiggerguy]

Quick one but I have a client who I've heard on the grapevine plans to ditch me and not pay some outstanding invoices owed.

I have control of the domain I have done work on but not the legal owner. Can I transfer it over to my name as a safe guard until I get paid or will I get a legal SLAP?

Ta - "Don't you just LOVE clients "

 

[retired_member12]

I wouldn't do that, unless the contract allows you to. You'd be better taking them to Court for your loss of earnings. The domain name isn't yours though, Nominet should confirm this to you I imagine.

 

[golddiggerguy]

I have the nominet logins as I set it all up.

But yes I'd guess it was a no no.

Thanks

 

[Takwa]

Definitely no, they can take you to court for stealing their domain, go file a small claim court for your unpaid fees.

 

[namealot]

Depends if you registerd the name and what you’re invoicing/ T & C if its something like, All items remains the property of ????? Until all payments are made in full, As they have not made full payment its your property and you can do what you wish with it…? Its all in the small print normally( gets a little sticky with trademarks etc )

 

[GreyWing]

He could just call Nominet and change the tag etc for £10, I know it is fustrating but you are best just playing the game and going to court. If you are in the right then just stay in the right.

Did you pay for the domain with your card?

 

[jasman]

He could just call Nominet and change the tag etc for £10, I know it is fustrating but you are best just playing the game and going to court. If you are in the right then just stay in the right.

Did you pay for the domain with your card?

Of course he may not know he can do that.

You might be able to alter the address of the domain in the whois to 'care of' your address. That might make moving the domain away more difficult for him if he has to sign some paperwork to prove its his. Not sure though, I've never been in your situation.

 

[GreyWing]

If you have paid for the name or renewals on your card and he has not paid you then you can cancel the domain names as the registrar.

Of course whoever picks it up after that would be the owner.

 

[golddiggerguy]

It's not about the domain it's about work on the website of the domain.

I did more or less think touching the domain that's in his name but under my control is a no no.

The issue is actually about a site I've chopped up from a designer and project people he's commissioned.

Chopped a site up from a design that was 1280 wide (had to make it 10px smaller as they never took scroll bar into consideration.

Then told them 1024px less border is a normal MAX size as a lot of people (20%) will have to scroll left and right to see it.

Once i'd done the chop up of the first one they said.

Ah right can you now change the resolution to the recommended one please?"

yes for £xxx I can it's not a switch I can just flick.

After calling me every day through the build I've not had any replies from emails or phone calls for 5 days.

I have a gut feeling they wont pay the final 50% and are getting it done else where. My gut been they cc me in an email more or less hinting at that.


I hold their email, domain, and website I just wondered as they could pull the domain, get the site done somewhere else, and leave me high and dry.

I wish I could name and shame them because they hadn't a clue about WEB design or anything web based and were more Print designers hence school boy design errors.

Final moan! They had the whole design project for 7 months and brought us into the picture (as I did the last design and host it) just 3 weeks before they wanted to launch a new brand!

Because we were just sat at our desks waiting for them to call and give us work to start instantly.

 

[golddiggerguy]

Just started getting emails from the "I've forgot my password" function of the domain registar.

Oh well - Im one of the good guys and will come out on top in the end so F**k em

 

[namealot]

Send them an email that due to certain activity with there account i.e. “forgot password request” you think someone is either trying to steal or hack there domain and as a precaution you would increase security... You would then be able do what you wish under the pretence of increasing security...? (As a standard security measure to insure customer’s items within your control are not removed stolen etc you take the precautionary measure of moving it to your account) They would either have to let you do so, admit its them or if they wish to make there own arrangement you can tell them they can of course do so once there obligation to you i.e. payment in full had been completed..

 

[retired_member12]

Don't faff about with them, tell them straight what you suspect, what you're seeing, and what you are 'concerned' they're trying to do. It'll better in the long run, 'cos if you do need to chase them for money afterwards, you'll be able to state quite clearly to anyone looking at the matter that you brought your concerns to their attention as soon as possible.

 

[namealot]

Don't faff about with them, tell them straight what you suspect, what you're seeing, and what you are 'concerned' they're trying to do. It'll better in the long run, 'cos if you do need to chase them for money afterwards, you'll be able to state quite clearly to anyone looking at the matter that you brought your concerns to their attention as soon as possible.

Wouldnt that be slander...?

 

[golddiggerguy]

Don't faff about with them, tell them straight what you suspect, what you're seeing, and what you are 'concerned' they're trying to do. It'll better in the long run, 'cos if you do need to chase them for money afterwards, you'll be able to state quite clearly to anyone looking at the matter that you brought your concerns to their attention as soon as possible.

Did what I usually do and cut to the chase and say it as it is! As yes they had moved the domain away too which confirmed to me.

And 2 hours later confirming I was right with an email from them all I thought. I'll send the final invoices and see what comes of it.

Thanks peoples!

 

[golddiggerguy]

No contact or reply with the invoice sent I also stating it needs paying before they move away to help close their account.

If the shit hits the fan and the don't pay the final 50% for the project I came up with 3 options.

1. Small claims court or legal letter
2. Stealth mayhem to all parties who think it's ok to have one over on me
3. Roll over and get on with life - as what goes around comes around

Stealth mayhem = Email address Submissions to 100's of porn, spam, news letter web sites - other ideas welcome

 

[getmein]

Just go for 1. likely to be more profitable than 2 or 3 - although possibly less fun that 2. Also allows you to use the worlds worst internet application - money claim online - so once the frustration subsides you can let the laughter begin.

Good luck and don't let them get away with it.