Do you own your Domain Name?This article explains what the terms Registrant, Registry and Registrar mean and how to find out who owns your domain name. |
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What is a Domain Registrar?
A Registrar (or Domain Name Registrar) is an organisation that has worldwide control in the granting of domains with certain domain name endings (e.g. .com .org .net or Country-specific .uk .ie .de .it .nl etc.)
What is the Registry?
The Registry is the overarching worldwide database that Registrar's have shared access to.
Who is the Registrant?
A Registrant is the person or company that owns the domain. For example, the domain name thepiano.ie is registered to Denis O'Regan (Registrant).
The service of registration has been carried out by Easykey Limited who use Namesco Limited (Registrar) who in turn publishes the name to the central database (the Registry).
Most companies selling domains are Resellers of the main Registrars and usually offer the extra services of configuring the domain for email and website hosting
Check who is the Registrant of my Domain Name?
Note: Due to more recent privacy rules the following may not reveal the registrant...
1. Click Here to open our Domain Search
2. Type your domain (without the .com or .co.uk ending)
3. Click the Next> Button
4. Your domain should be listed as taken - so click on the Taken ? button
5. Look for the Registrant - It should be either Your Name or your Company Name
6. If it is not listed - contact the company that look after your domain (or access via your Control Panel) and find out who the Registrant is.
What if the Registrant is not me?
Many Web Design companies and ISPs register the domain in their name. This may be because their automated systems have done this when they first registered the domain for you or in some cases in the mistaken belief that they can control your domain in the case of a dispute. At Easykey we have always registered domains in the name of the client or client's company. In the first instance we would suggest you politely ask the registrant to change the domain to your name or your company's name. (you're not asking them to move the domain just transfer legal ownership to you. If they refuse I suggest you contact us for some free advice)