We have noticed when we ask clients who owns their domain, that a lot of people are unsure, and when we start to use terms such as Registrar and Registrant, it all seems to get a bit confusing. No-one legally OWNS a domain, but when registered, an individual or organisation owns the RIGHTS to use a domain for a specified period of time.
REGISTRAR
A Registrar is the individual or organisation who actually registers the domain. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they have any rights over the domain, it purely means that they are the person who completed the domain application.
REGISTRANT
The Registrant is the individual or organisation that registers the domain with the Registrar. They hold the rights to use that domain for a specified period of time.
Some web design companies will register your domain in your name, listing you as the Registrant, others will list it in their own name, leaving you no legal claim or rights over what is essentially your own domain. It is important to know who owns the rights to your domain, as this can be a valuable asset to your company. Domains rights can be resold and have in the past gone for vast sums of money. In 2009 Insure.com was sold for $16 Million USD. This is why we feel that it is important that all organisations are registered as the Registrant for their own domains.
If you are unsure as to your position, then please get in touch and we will send you a FREE no obligation Domain Registration Report, and advise you on what steps (if any) we feel are necessary for you to get control of your own asset (some companies may charge a release fee for domains, unfortunately this is out of our control). Call us on 01254 916143 or e-mail
[email protected].
