Someone else owns my domain name. Can I get it back?

By Charlie B, Deliberate Design.

The short answer: it depends on how they got it. If it was registered on your behalf by a designer or an employee, you have a good case. If a squatter grabbed it after yours lapsed and is trading on your name, you have a case. If someone else simply had the name first for their own business, you do not, and you pick another name.

Case 1: registered on your behalf

A designer, a marketing company or a former employee registered it while working for you. Ask in writing for it to be transferred. If they refuse, for a .uk Nominet's Dispute Resolution Service handles exactly this, and invoices and emails showing it was for your business carry weight. For a .com there is a similar process called UDRP, which costs more.

Case 2: a squatter after it lapsed

Your domain expired, somebody registered it and now it shows adverts or a "this domain is for sale" page. If they are using your business name in bad faith, a Nominet dispute can get it back for a .uk. If they just want money, a modest offer is sometimes cheaper than the dispute. Do not pay silly money; wait, and it often drops.

Case 3: they had it first

If another real business registered it before you for their own use, it is theirs. Choose a variation: add your town, use .uk instead of .co.uk, or a different wording. Registering a trademark does not take a domain off someone who was using it first.

Meanwhile

Get a working address today so the business is not stuck. yourbusinessglasgow.co.uk works as well as yourbusiness.co.uk for customers. Point your Google listing and socials at it and move on while the dispute runs.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your own case, ask a solicitor.