Easykey

If you discover that the domain you want is already registered it normally means that you cannot do anything with it

How can I check whether a domain is available?

You can use our Domain Checker to check availability of a name.  Tip – some domain checkers on other sites record what you are searching for – avoid these sites as some unscrupulous websites have been known to register the domain if you take some time to decide!

What if someone else owns the domain?

Click the domain that is taken (in the list on the right with a pink background) then click the Show me who owns it button.

The information shown can vary but often includes details of the Registrant (the legal owner of the domain name) You can often see other details like when the domain was first created and the date it is due for the next renewal.

Domain Squatters (aka Cybersquatter)

Take a look at the website for the domain you wanted and look for the following:

• The website that shows the domain is for sale

or

• It looks like a website but if you click on any links to try to navigate to another page it forwards you to a Search Engine Results page

If either is true it means that the website is probably owned by a domain squatter.  This means the owner is using the domain to generate income via affiliation programmes such as AdSense or is prospecting to sell the domain for a high price.  Strictly speaking Cybersquatting is the act of trying to pass off or ride off the back of someone elses trademark.

See this example at www.googol.com

It forwards you to another domain called www.biggestnumber.com which looks like a ‘real’ website doesn’t it?  Try navigating to another page – You will see it shows you Google results and if you click on any of these the owner will usually receive a small amount of money from Google for linking you to that site (via Google AdSense).  Google in turn will receive income from the site it eventually took you to (via Google Adwords).  Just to be clear it doesn't cost you anything.

Does this mean I cannot get the name?

Unless it can be legally demonstrated that the owner of the domain is attempting to profit from your company name or trademark it is likely that there is nothing you can do.

However, if you would like Easykey to act as a broker to preserve your anonymity we can do this on your behalf and see if we can negotiate a mutually agreed price.

If you want more help on this Click Here to Contact Us