Website Stolen, host not responding

[r32grrl]

Hi Everyone -- Several years ago I was not able to renew my domain name and unfortunately another company bought it and then put the homepage of my site back up on my domain -- I emailed them and they promptly took my homepage down.

Throughout the years my domain name has changed hands many times and I've never been able to get it back, now the newest owner has put the homepage of my site up again with some links on the bottom in Japanese I believe. I sent everyone I could a cease and desist letter asking them to take my site down with no response. Is there anything else I can do here? Thanks for your help :)

[anon123]

Will need some more details:

Why were you not able to renew?

Unfortunately, if you let it drop and someone else picked it up, and there was no hacking or anything like that involved, then it was there gain and your loss and they did nothing wrong.

On the other hand, it does seem a little weird they would claim the domain AND put your very site design/content right back up on it.

[tangor]

The loss of the domain name itself was unfortunate, however the new owner cannot claim your site content as theirs. Lodge a complaint with the domain register (DMCA). The new owner should put up a parking page or their own content.

[true_INFP]

Is there anything else I can do here?

Try offering to buy the domain name and point out that you are the former owner, who accidentally lost it. You might be lucky and see a reasonable price. It's definitely worth a try.

[r32grrl]

Thanks for your replies, while I would love to have my domain name back my main concern right now is that they are using the site I created trying to trick people who go there into thinking it's still functioning so they will click on their links and get something out of it. That is just so wrong.

The WHOIS record lists Value Domain as the contact for owner, admin, tech & billing. I'm not sure if the DMCA works here since Value Domain is in Japan? I emailed them at the address listed in the WHOIS record, this is their website: value-domain.com. I also emailed the host, websitewelcome.com, I haven't gotten a reply from anyone.

[tangor]

You might need to send a complaint to the domain registrar if all of the above do not work.

[nomis5]

It's bad luck that you lost the domain but you admit it's your fault. As to the content, at the very least it's morally wrong for them to publish your content.

But are you actually suffering any financial loss from them publishing your content? Your posts indicate not. If so, put the experience down to life and move on. Easier said than done I know, but you will likely gain more if you drop it compared to the alternative.