How do you find out a domain's previous owner?

instaunt · 02-04-2013, 11:41 PM

Domain Tools says they can provide me with the contact details of the previous owners of some domains I own. (I have questions about their linking practice!)

But Domain Tools say it will be around $500 to find out. Are there any other ways to find out who owned a domain before you?

Thanks
Mike

gilgimech · 02-05-2013, 04:35 AM

Hmmm. I'm not really sure.

Why do you want to know. If the company/website is gone it doesn't really matter. I wouldn't worry about it.

Now, if you're trying to do something shady like:

HA, HA. You didn't renew you domain and I snagged it up. If you want it back it's gonna cost you $30,000.

That won't work. Back in the day during the .com bubble. People tried that and the courts put a stop to that real quick. If they own the copyright to the company name. They could just sue you and get it back.

instaunt · 02-05-2013, 02:58 PM

None of the domains I own are trademarks and I've owned them all for 2 years or more. I'm past the blackmailing stage!

There are varied reasons. e.g on one site, I can see in the web archive that they were a small commercial business, yet they have links from some amazing sources that would normally not expect. I'd love to ask them about that. Another domain, is still obtaining new backlinks, even though I haven't put a website up or done any SEO work. I'd like to speak to the previous owners and see if they are doing something.

Stuff like that. With over 1000 domains in my portfolio and 100+ websites, there are going to be a few odd ones in there. I just don't want to give $500 to domain tools for a few email addresses if there is an alternative out there for free/cheaper.