In this article we answer some common questions about domain name ownership.
Domain Names
Examples of generic Top-level Domain names (gTLDs) include:
- .COM,
- .ORG and
- .NET.
gTLDs are administered globally by ICANN.
Country Level Domains (ccTLDs) are issued by domain registries around the world.
Examples of country level domains (ccTLDs) issued by Nominet UK include:
- .UK,
- .CO.UK and
- .ORG.UK.
The country level domain registry for the UK is Nominet UK.
Some domain registrars enable you to apply the Domain Lock to your domain name in order to prevent it from being transferred away without your consent.
If applied then you will need to unlock the domain before requesting its transfer away to another domain registrar.
You can check ownership (as well as a host of other things) about a domain name you interested in by using one of the many WHOIS lookup services.
Here are two example service providers:
https://www.nominet.uk/lookup/
Each offers a different user interface and experience.
We prefer the Nominet UK user interface.
Domain Registrants
When you purchase the license to use a domain name for a period of time (usually a year) then you become a Domain Registrant.
ICANN neatly summarise the relationship between a Registrant and a Registrar in the following way.
"A domain name registrant is an individual or entity who registers a domain name. Upon registration of a domain name, a registrant enters into a contract with a registrar. The contract describes the terms under which the registrar agrees to register and maintain the requested name. After registration, registrants manage their domain name settings through their registrar."
Domain Registrars
A domain registrant will purchase the license to use a domain from a Domain Registrar.
ICANN neatly summarise the relationship between a Registrant and a Registrar in the following way.
"A domain name registrant is an individual or entity who registers a domain name. Upon registration of a domain name, a registrant enters into a contract with a registrar. The contract describes the terms under which the registrar agrees to register and maintain the requested name. After registration, registrants manage their domain name settings through their registrar."
Domain Registrars are required by ICANN (the global domain authority) to send automatic renewal and expiry notices to Domain Registrants.
Reminder emails will typically be sent to you:
- 30 days before the expiry date,
- 7 days before the expiry date, and
- immediately after the domain name expires.
ICANN also requires Domain Registrars to send Domain Registrants of gTLD domains a WHOIS Data Reminder email.
Purpose: to ensure maintenance of accurate registrant contact details.
ICANN requires that Domain Registrars verify the contact details of Domain Registrants within 15 days following:
- a domain being registered with unverified contact details,
- a domain being transferred in, or
- Domain Registrant contact information being modified.
See FAQs below for more about ICANN and what it does.
Beware of Phishing Emails. See FAQs below.
An IPS tag is the label that applies to any Registrar that registers .UK domains.
IPS = Internet Provider Security.
Each Domain Registrar has a unique IPS Tag.
The IPS Tag is useful when you want to transfer a UK domain away to another Domain Registrar.
The current registrar will ask you for the IPS Tag of the new registrar.
Domain Registries
ICANN = Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
ICANN is the global Domain Registry. Its function is to manage top-level domains (gTLDs) and the global domain name system.
Learn more about the role ICANN plays in how the internet works at the following link.
Nominet UK is the country level domain registry for the UK.
As well as performing domain registration and management services, it offers cyber security services and operates critical internet infrastructure for the UK.
Nominet UK provide a useful Beginners Guide to registering and managing a domain.
Some issues to be aware of
Cybersquatting is "registering, trafficking in, or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else".
You may from time to time receive what look like official Domain Registrar emails.
These could however be phishing emails, so avoid thoughtlessly clicking links and loading external images when you receive such emails.
If you doubt the authenticity of an email and action is required (example domain renewal) then visit the Client Area of your Domain Registrar's website rather than click an embedded link.
Krystal Hosting offer a useful guide for how to identify phishing emails at the following link.
Read more: How to recognise and combat phishing
The NCSC (UK National Cyber Security Centre) also provide useful guidance for how to recognise and report emails, texts, websites, adverts or phone calls that you think are trying to scam you.
Read more: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and calls
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