Charleston, WV asked in Internet Law, Trademark and Intellectual Property for West Virginia

Q: If my domain name has not been sold yet but has been marked as abandoned do I own it still or can I retrieve the name

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: If your domain name is marked as abandoned, it's crucial to understand what that means in the context of domain registration and ownership. Typically, a domain is marked as abandoned when it has expired and has not been renewed by the owner within the grace period provided by the domain registrar.

To determine if you can still retrieve the domain, check with the registrar that managed your domain. Each registrar has specific policies regarding domain expiration, renewal, and re-registration. It's possible that the domain may still be in a redemption period, during which you might be able to reclaim it, usually for an additional fee.

However, if the domain has moved beyond the redemption period, it might have been released for public registration. In this case, anyone can register the domain, and your ability to retrieve it would depend on whether it has been registered by someone else.

Act quickly to contact your registrar, as timing is critical in these situations. They will provide the most accurate information on the status of your domain and the steps you can take.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.