I purchased a domain name abcde.ORG, the abcde is an abbreviation of my local temple. I bought the name so that i can make a website for them free of cost and also host it for free.

I bought the name thru namecheap and have whois guard ID protection on it.

Today i received an email via whois guard from a webdesigner claiming that they have the contract to do the webdesign for the temple.And since i have "their" name he was wondering if i could transfer it to them.

Can you tell me if it is illegal to own that domain even though i have purchased it fairly?

I am Obligated to sell it to the temple even though i dont want to ?

thanks

If the content on the website is about THEIR temple, and the temple tells you to remove it you might have too. I wouldn't give up the domain name, nor really worry about them trying to gain control of it since it's... well, part of the alphabet.

However, IANAL and I doubt many lawyers visit WHT (to talk anyway) so I wouldn't take any legal advice on here too seriously.

Do you have an agreement with the temple? did you asked the temple?

You are under no obligation to hand over the domain unless the name is a trademark, however if it's the abbreviation of a temple name, I highly doubt this is the case. If they want you to remove the content of the website they will have to issue you with a court order.

If you are providing false information about the temple then they could sue for libel, but again that would start with a court order before it went any further.

The temple is a hindu temple. There is an organization that sort of is a part of the temple, probably one of the temple donors is running it.

The organization is called: Hindu Cultural Socitey of Western NewYork.

So i bought the domain HCSWNY.org -- with the only intention of providing free service to the temple in terms of creating/maintaining the website and also hosting it for free on my servers.

I suppose i could just buy a domain name for the temple like buffalohindutemple.org.


My only advertizement woudl be a small note at the bottom of the website page mentioning my company name.

I dont know if they have trademark Hindu ---- NewYork.

Look up hcswny.org and i have a namecheap parking page with a small note on the right hand side of my intentions.

any advice would be appreciated -- maybe i can make a deal with them first i offer free services -- if they dont like that they can have someone manage the website themselves (content etc) -- while i still retain ownership of the domain name, if they are intrested they can pay me to host it on my servers? -- can someone suggest a possible business deal here for hosting that domain

thanks

You are under no obligation to hand over the domain unless the name is a trademark, however if it's the abbreviation of a temple name, I highly doubt this is the case. If they want you to remove the content of the website they will have to issue you with a court order.

If you are providing false information about the temple then they could sue for libel, but again that would start with a court order before it went any further.
I couldn't have said it better myself!

Most people have commented on your legal obligations but it occurs to me that there might be other factors for you to consider.

You say that it is "my" local temple so I assume that you use that temple in your Hindu worship? If that is so and your reason for registering the domain was to "promote" the temple I find myself wondering why you have a problem in giving it up to the temple "elders", (if that is the correct term) - why do you want to alienate yourself with them?

Are you concerned because you want to profit from the religious site by your company link?

If it is your local temple and you do indeed worship there, remember that you have to live with yourself, your god and your fellow worshippers - do you really think that the domain is worth possibly compromising all of that?

Most people have commented on your legal obligations but it occurs to me that there might be other factors for you to consider.

You say that it is "my" local temple so I assume that you use that temple in your Hindu worship? If that is so and your reason for registering the domain was to "promote" the temple I find myself wondering why you have a problem in giving it up to the temple "elders", (if that is the correct term) - why do you want to alienate yourself with them?

Are you concerned because you want to profit from the religious site by your company link?

If it is your local temple and you do indeed worship there, remember that you have to live with yourself, your god and your fellow worshippers - do you really think that the domain is worth possibly compromising all of that?


My only "profit" was to put a small company logo at the bottom of the page next to developed this page -- thats all.

They dont know who i am as i am using whois id guard.

I was going to approach the temple for suggestions/permissions etc but i am currently doing some imp exams and would have started to design the page from July.

I suppose i could however ask them if i could do it myself and see what they say. --- since the developer wrote to me directly i am assuming i am late already


any last suggestions?( i suppose i could always buy buffalohindutemple.org and work on that website -- but 2 different website for one temple -- maybe that will never work out and time spent could be wasted)

thanks

Uh, you keep mentioning the developer -- why are you even talking to him? Talk to the folks in charge of the project or the contract. You have no business with the developer in any case.

if they have pick a differant developer, IMO there are 2 things you SHOULD do.

1> Make a Counter Bid, Free is hard to beat

2> if the counter bid fails, sell it to the other developer or the temple. No sicne keeping a domain you would have no use for out of spite

if they have pick a differant developer, IMO there are 2 things you SHOULD do.

1> Make a Counter Bid, Free is hard to beat

2> if the counter bid fails, sell it to the other developer or the temple. No sicne keeping a domain you would have no use for out of spite

I will make a counter bid DIRECTLY to the temple people -- since they are from my community they might at least hear me out.

True -- free is hard to beat.

If they dont agree what are my choices:(the way i see it - below)

1) Hold on to the domain "they have no choice BUT to come to me EVENTUALLY"?

2) Put a HIGH price on the domain -- so they will EVENTUALLY COME TO ME?

3)Give them the choice - let the developer develop the website.DOMAIN stays with me and host it on my servers with the CONDITION being that i get to say its being hosted on my servers etc.

GUYS do you think I am missing some sort of a business opportunity here --- am i giving too much away for FREE? should i charge something atleast --- ?????

what do you think?( i know the develper would be making a few thousand just for developing their website and then hosting it would cost temple peole much more)

Please give me some suggestions as to how to approach the temple people PROFESSIONALLY with a REASONABLE strategy to have them see things my way -- I am afraid if i say totally free they might think my work or intentions would not be of good "quality".

thanks

2) Put a HIGH price on the domain -- so they will EVENTUALLY COME TO ME?
Not sure if this is really the best idea -- especially when you're openly agreeing that the site is (and only) for the temple.

You really should talk to the temple first, then move on from what you have there...

Reading through this I am wondering what the big deal is. Why can't they just get another domain name?

If I was the temple I would just go get anther domain. I bet the "developer" in this case was just tolling for domain ideas and saw that you had this domain and it was used, so he contacted you about it.. that is unless he knows that you got the domain for this purpose...

Its not like this is a cooperation with cash to throw around on websites and domains… something tells me that you knew they wanted to build this website and you got the domain they were talking about before the developer did, hence the whois protection.

But this is just my opinion. Just move on, build your own site promoting the temple and find another project.

HCSWNY.US is available. Grab that domain also and go to the temple authorities and just tell them you want to donate a domain and allow them to choose any one in exchange for placing a link back to your site. Use your site for setting up a hindu cultural and social networking forum.

I know Indians in US like networking within their close circles so its a great opportunity for you to develop it into a networking site instead of just a temple information site. [especially since you seem to be keenly interested in the site adding some value for your business]

If that doesnt sound like a good idea maybe you should talk to this lady to help you to buy up the temple :D
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may172006/national226462006516.asp

Reading through this I am wondering what the big deal is. Why can't they just get another domain name?



IMO it sounds like the guy hijack the domain name and is now going to hold it hostage in a effort to profit from his temple........


If I ran this temple and he came to me with this ultamadum I would tell him to take a very long walk off a very short peir and I would find a new domain name

People like this are what is WRONG with the system, Domain name hijackers

2) Put a HIGH price on the domain -- so they will EVENTUALLY COME TO ME?
You mean so they will eventually find an alternative domain name and web developer ...

They're more likely to come to you if there's a low price on it.

Are you trying to hold them to ransom or do them a favor?

Guys:

My intention STILL is to do something for the temple.My only 'advantage" would be a small mention at the bottom of the webpage saying i developed the page and am hosting it ---- just so that people see it.

What i will do for the temple is:

1) Build AND maintain the website for FREE.
2) Host it on my servers for FREE.

In my previous thread i wanted to try a different angle because:

1) Apparently the temple people have contracted from a developer and are probably paying a big amount

My question to you is:

Should i quote them a small fee at all RATHER than free. Free is fine for me --- am i supposed to feel guilty in quoting a small price for hosting like say $10/month?

Thanks

HCSWNY.US is available. Grab that domain also and go to the temple authorities and just tell them you want to donate a domain and allow them to choose any one in exchange for placing a link back to your site. Use your site for setting up a hindu cultural and social networking forum.

I know Indians in US like networking within their close circles so its a great opportunity for you to develop it into a networking site instead of just a temple information site. [especially since you seem to be keenly interested in the site adding some value for your business]

If that doesnt sound like a good idea maybe you should talk to this lady to help you to buy up the temple :D
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may172006/national226462006516.asp

Thanks for the suggestion.

I like your idea of donating the domain in exchange for a link back to my site.

My question to you is:

Once i donate(transfer) the domain -- what is the GUARANTEE that they will honor their word???? -- say sometime later they just delete my link on their website. How do i insure that does not happen.

Write up a contract, which makes them stay linked to you.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I like your idea of donating the domain in exchange for a link back to my site.

My question to you is:

Once i donate(transfer) the domain -- what is the GUARANTEE that they will honor their word???? -- say sometime later they just delete my link on their website. How do i insure that does not happen.

There are no guarantees in life...that is why we need a god. :D

You should also offer to link back to their site so they stand to gain more from being associated with your site.

1) Apparently the temple people have contracted from a developer and are probably paying a big amount

My question to you is:

Should i quote them a small fee at all RATHER than free. Free is fine for me --- am i supposed to feel guilty in quoting a small price for hosting like say $10/month?

Thanks
Have you talked to them? How do you know that and why should you care? You sound like you're just jealous that they've gone to someone else. If they know you're prepared to do a website cheaper then perhaps they don't want your services. They do have the right to choose. That's business. If they don't know you're prepared to do a website then you had better hurry up and talk to them if you're so desperate to do their website.

Your guilt is to do with your conscience. Just the fact you're asking that question indicates to me you're uncomfortable with your own suggestion.

If I feel like it (for example for a friend's startup business, a local temple that I want to help), I design and host a website for free but put Adsense on it and a link to my own website, and there I have a portfolio with links to websites I've done. Since I'm the one designing and hosting it, it's easy to do.

If I don't feel like it, then I don't do the job. Or I quote a price at which I'm happy to do the job.

Make up your mind. Are you running a business? Then quote them a fair price and get on with it. Or do you want to do volunteer work? Well get on with it anyway. Even volunteers get nowhere if they don't do anything.

Is not having $10 a month going to bankrupt you? You'd probably get that from Adsense anyway.

Once i donate(transfer) the domain -- what is the GUARANTEE that they will honor their word???? -- say sometime later they just delete my link on their website. How do i insure that does not happen.
Don't donate it to them. Keep it in your own name. Or as someone else said, draw up a contract and sue them when they do (it's bound to happen sooner or later) - but that's hardly a donation then.

A donation is just that - you give something for nothing with no expectation. So either donate it, trade it, or keep it. They are mutually exclusive choices.

Ok i have decided what to do:

I am going to talk to the temple people directly.First email them and if possible talk to them in person.

I am going to offer to do their website for free and even host it for free --- with the condition that i am going to place adsense or some links back to my website etc on the site.

If they refuse the offer and want the domain itself --- then the condition still stands.

Everything will be on contract though.

anything else that i am missing?

thanks

.My only 'advantage" would be a small mention at the bottom of the webpage saying i developed the page and am hosting it ---- just so that people see it.


Which is fine, if the temple WANTS your services, and agrees to it


it is NOT FINE imo, to hold the domain name ransom just to get a link back. That is total underhanded, and Domain name hijacking....

The idea of holding a domain ransom was never there.Infact i wanted to register hcswny. >COM -- but its already taken by a healthcare network.

So if i wanted to make money i could always sell it to the .com people.Since i am using whois guard for ID protect i could stay that way.

But it would turn me OFF if they dont want any of my services EVEN for free BUT still want the domain ---- this is the dilemma --- if it was NOT a temple I would be actually SELLING it for $$.

The idea of holding a domain ransom was never there.Infact i wanted to register hcswny. >COM -- but its already taken by a healthcare network.

So if i wanted to make money i could always sell it to the .com people.Since i am using whois guard for ID protect i could stay that way.

But it would turn me OFF if they dont want any of my services EVEN for free BUT still want the domain ---- this is the dilemma --- if it was NOT a temple I would be actually SELLING it for $$.
:angry:

The more I read your posts the more I hope they do turn down your services, even for free


That is why the Domain Laws had to be changed and are hurting alot of innocent people just to stop a few rejects from cyberquatting domain names.

IMO, it is wrong to registar a domain name that you have no intention of developing a site for. and only want to resell it to some organization

In this case, you should transfer the domain name to the developer if your services are rejected. the ONLY thing you should charge them is the regular cost of the domain name registration that you already paid for.

And if you think they your not holding the domain for ransom, you need to look up what "ransom" means ;)

:angry:

The more I read your posts the more I hope they do turn down your services, even for free


That is why the Domain Laws had to be changed and are hurting alot of innocent people just to stop a few rejects from cyberquatting domain names.

IMO, it is wrong to registar a domain name that you have no intention of developing a site for. and only want to resell it to some organization

In this case, you should transfer the domain name to the developer if your services are rejected. the ONLY thing you should charge them is the regular cost of the domain name registration that you already paid for.

And if you think they your not holding the domain for ransom, you need to look up what "ransom" means ;)


imo they should also tighten the laws to prevent slanderous comments by third parties when the main party itself has not made any allegation of domain squatting or infringement of any rights of theirs.:nervous:

imo they should also tighten the laws to prevent slanderous comments by third parties when the main party itself has not made any allegation of domain squatting or infringement of any rights of theirs.:nervous:
:usflag: <---1st amendment.

all my my personal observations based on the statments of the poster...

my translation of the even leads me to believe the following

1> The poster wants to get good PR for his business by "helping" a non-profit organization with free services
2> The poster reg. a domain name in good faith to present said offer to the non-profit
3> The non-profit had already worked out a deal with a differant company for said services.
4> Now the poster wants to hold the domain name so his company can still get the PR from the non-profit


the last part of the series of events are IMO what amount to holding the domain name for ransom. For either Money, or PR/link back from the non-profit, and also IMO is wrong

There is nothing wrong with his original intentions. The only questionable part is, what is he going to do if his original intentions don't work out.

If the whole thing was truly in good faith, and the church doesn't want to use his services, but would like to use the domain, as a member he should want to let them do what they want, but unless the domain he registered is the church's official name, it's up to him what to do with it. The church can just register something else. If the domain is the church's official name, he should give it to them, or sell it at a reasonable price.

If the domain should belong to the church and he doesn't want to give it to them without getting something in return, it is cybersquatting.

Vj135, I understand what you are doing. I've done the same, and sometimes good intentions can be misinterpreted by others. I say contact the church board and let them know what you are offering, then let them decide what they want to do. If a domain is registered for a business, organization, or individual, with good intentions planned, there's nothing wrong with that as long as you're willing to let the proper owner have the final say.