Legal Question in Technology Law in Massachusetts

Internet domain name registration

I have a problem concerning a registration of a domain name.

I first registered the domain name in February 1998, I renewed the registration in february 1999.

The domain name would in Sweden(where I live) be considered as a highly valued commercial domain name.

I registered the name via the internet and the annual fee was drawn from my visa card.

Now when I was going to make use of the domain name it was to my surprise registered to someone else.

I contacted the company who handles the domain and in their answer they recognized their mistake, but they are only willing to refund the registration fee and give me another domain name.

What I�m looking for is to either get the domain name back or a reasonable cash settlement.

I have all the documents to prove the above statements.

Do I have a case? Can I sue them if they don�t give me back my registered domain?

Please advice me what to do.


Asked on 10/14/99, 4:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stuart Williams

Re: Internet domain name registration

What company is it that "handles the domain"? Do you mean Internic / RSI? Who there admitted a mistake had been made, and did that person do so in writing? Do you have a copy of the agreement with them as they had it at the time? They may have a disclaimer that they THINK will protect them, but I would like to give that a gander (a look) because it seems like they screwed up the only thing that your money bought from them and for them to just shrug it off and offer your money back doesn't seem enough; they ought to make the same mistake again and give the other people their money back!

What is your domain name? Why did you have it if you never set it up for use? Why is the name valuable in Sweden? Is it NOT valuable here in the U.S.?

Is there a website already up on it? Is the name trademarked under state law here in the U.S.?

Please answer these questions directly to [email protected], if you would.

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Answered on 10/15/99, 2:51 pm


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