IP Tech Knowledgy

Be sure to have proper oversight of who has access to your domain name accounts. A domain name is ultimately controlled by any person who has access to the email address and password for the account in which the domain name resides.The person or entity listed as the “Registrant” is generally considered the owner of the domain name, but the accountholder whose email address is connected with the account and who knows the password can change the name of the registrant. Domain names are issued by “registrars,” such as GoDaddy. Registrars allow people or companies to set up domain name accounts and designate one email address as the controlling contact for that account. An accountholder can then identify who is named as the registrant, administrative contact, and technical contact for a domain name. Anyone with access to that account can change the registrant, and thus effectively transfer ownership of the domain name. To protect against unauthorized transfer of domain names, be sure that only a few trusted people have access to both the email address and password used for that registrar’s account. Also, be sure that at least two people know where to find the information to avoid the situation of the sole controlling person no longer being available.

Ned T. Himmelrich
410-576-4171 • nhimmelrich@gfrlaw.com