[KevinG]

First of all, Hello to Tigger, Brent and my other old friends that might still be here! (Sorry, I haven't read through the forums at this point to get caught up.)

I've been totally mainstream for a while now, and stopped doing client work last year with one exception being my favorite Italian restaurant.

I used to get great advice from members here, so thought I'd give it a shot for this one.

Here's the issue:

My client's former employee that registered their domain name, did so in his own name and in his Go Daddy account that he has control over. He left on bad terms and is refusing to transfer the domain to their company account at Go Daddy.

My inclination is that they should file a UDRP Complaint for Cybersquatting.

However, I am unsure if that is the right thing to do because at present their site functions fine. The DNS is pointed correctly, etc. However, he still has control over the domain, and if he wanted to, could re-direct it.

We have another variation on the name, not as good, but still the name of the business.

Another idea I have is to make the other domain the functioning one, and 301 re-direct the current one to it while the DNS is still pointed to the hosting I have control over.

The current domain with live site that is registered in the disgruntled employee's name:

GratzziGrille.com

The alternate name, which currently re-directs to above, but I am thinking of reversing this:

GratzziItalianGrille.com

Gratzzi Italian Grille is the actual name of the restaurant, but we felt it was better to use the shorter domain and re-direct the longer one for type-ins, until this issue came up.

[Tigger]

welcome hansom .......long time no see

Lets not discuss Brent please, he's not here anymore .......if you want to know more pm me

I'm not sure about US law on this but in the UK it would depend on what trading name the guy is using if its Gratzz iItalian Grille then he would stand every chance to get control back, but if not then certainly in the UK he wouldn't stand much of a chance

[NeteQuette]

Wow
Blast from the past Mr G. How come u get all this interesting stuff happening to you?

No expert on your problem but I would do the redirects before anything else happens. Keep us posted and don't be a stranger.

[housekeeper]

What's up Kevin, not an expert on this stuff either, a bit of a sticky wicket for sure. May want to make the guy an offer for the name...

[Tigger]

Originally Posted by housekeeper

What's up Kevin, not an expert on this stuff either, a bit of a sticky wicket for sure. May want to make the guy an offer for the name...

only problem with making him an offer it does mean the guy will probably drop another zero on the price

[housekeeper]

Originally Posted by Tigger

only problem with making him an offer it does mean the guy will probably drop another zero on the price

That would be expected, what ever happened to kiss and make up?

[Tigger]

true ......but making up doesn't pay the bills .....I've contacted a few name squatters and offered them a reasonable price and the twats always come back with silly figures ...although this isn't quite the same with Kev

[NeteQuette]

If its still all pointed to the correct hosting maybe just wait untill it expieres. The person may not renew

[Tigger]

Originally Posted by NeteQuette

If its still all pointed to the correct hosting maybe just wait untill it expieres. The person may not renew

would you let a name expire if you knew someone else wanted it, or was pissed off with the guy you used to work for? in fact I'm surprised he's not pointed the name elsewhere to piss the guy off

[NeteQuette]

would you let a name expire if you knew someone else wanted it, or was pissed off with the guy you used to work for?

No way!!!! but then i wouldnt leave the web site intact either. Which is why I think its an oversite by the person who has the domain.

Maybe MrG will give us an update

[Naughty-Pages]

That's an interestingly sticky situation you're in. Hope you get it resolved, though.