A local nonprofit group I belong to, something akin to an animal rescue group, has replaced their current volunteer webmaster. When he took over, he transferred their existing domain to his wife's name instead of the groups name and only he seems to have the registration password. The domain is the exact unique name of the group, they reimbursed him for the registration, and they had their web site on this domain for years prior to his taking over the webmaster roles.
Now he has been replaced, evidently with some pretty hard feelings all the way 'round, and has been ignoring repeated phone calls and emails from the group to give up the password to the domain.
I am not asking for legal advice. I have a web savvy attorney who could send a letter and I know the ICANN procedure for getting the domain back, which I feel would almost certainly be found in the group's favor. The problem is these options all cost money, money that would otherwise be spent on homeless animals, and would result in even more hard feelings.
What do you think would be the most diplomatic (and least expensive) way to proceed? Phone the wife since the site is technically in her name? Just start the domain transfer process and see what they do? Send a registered letter from the group president and ask for cooperation?
I'd appreciate any thoughts. I am not asking for legal advice, just pre-emptive diplomatic advice.
