Defunct host handled registration of my domain name

Host used Chinese registrar. Registrar not responding to my email.

[crxvfr]

I bought a website from <a UK host> two years ago. The service was terrible so I moved it immediately. They used a Chinese registrar.

I renewed the domain last year thru <the hosting company>. Now the hosting company has dissapeared.

My domain is still working but expires in July.

I can't read chinese and don't know what the hosting company used as a username and password for my domain so I can't logon and renew the domain myself.

Nobody is returning my email.

Could this mean they don't read english?

What can I do?

[edited by: Webwork at 3:40 pm (utc) on Jan. 20, 2006]
[edit reason] Charter [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[Webwork]

Time for phone calls, faxes, translation services.

Time to collect and organize proof of use/ownership of domain and proof that host merely acted as your agent for the purpose of registering the domain.

Time to find anyone associated with the former host who might help you in any way: Dig out username/password, confirm "domain was yours", confirm company is defunct, authorize transfer of domain do you.

Confirm that the administrative email address for the domain no longer works. IF it does the someone may be able to transfer the domain to you. OTOH, someone could also do you harm if they gain control of the administrative email address.

Money talks. Figure out where to grease the wheels. Sometimes, for a few dollars/pounds/euros people will take that extra step to help you. Remember: Since the host appears defunct there may be a number of unhappy people. Be the person the defunct host won't mind working with.

You might also get some assistance from a new registrar or a registrar where you already have a number of domains.

As a last resort, sometimes a lawyer/solicitor letter works. Just because the company's owners may see fit to terminate services that, by itself, may not relieve them of certain duties or responsibilities. Discuss this with your legal advisor.

Good luck.

[Leosghost]

Try searching for the defunct hosts name ..you may find fora discussion about them by other customers ..you may find someone there to help you .. I posted about a "host company is gone" scenario here in domains recently ..

[crxvfr]

Thanks for the reply. This has been a pain. I've spoken with all the places I have existing domains and they all tell me theres nothing they can do if the registrar refuses to unlock the domain. I tried for months to move it when the place I bought from WAS working and the place thats got the domain name refused to unlock it. The domain name contains some HUGE keywords. Anytime I've tried to move it or contact them all they've done is thumb their nose at me.

I contacted droa and told them I would be happy to move it there if they could use their influence to help me get it moved. Again, the locked status prevents any friendly from helping me.

I've contacted CNNIC, the Chinese version of ICANN, I believe. Although they have an english version of their site that I can read, they to have not answered any mail.

Buyer Beware.

[Leosghost]

BTW .in the UK the fraud squad may be interested ..or the section of the police ( maybe it's at New Scotland yard ..dealing with "computer crimes" ) ..you could phone them ..their email addy is not the way they do their work ..( they were trying to avoid DDOS from illegal pron circuits the last time I spoke to them ) ..

[Romeo]

Additionally, if your domain is a COM/NET/ORG, and it is really an accredited registrar and not just a cheap reseller, you may look here and file a complaint about the registrar with ICANN:
[reports.internic.net...]

This may not solve your problem, but ICANN says "As a courtesy, the form will forward your complaint to the registrar for review and further handling. (Please note that there is no guarantee that the registrar will reply.)", so the registrar will see your problem again.

If others would complain, too, if a negative trend amasses in the view of ICANN, perhaps that registrar will once get kicked ... or not.

Regards,
R.