Epik.com Seizes Domain, Threatens to Transfer

[Boutique Ink]

I previously transferred all of my domains to Epik.com because of @Rob Monster’s principled defense of free speech. But now, I’m questioning the wisdom of that decision.

An unnamed “complainant” claims to own one of my domains, and Epik.com is implicitly threatening to transfer the domain to them. (The complainant doesn’t own the domain; I do.)

Isn’t this a dispute for ICANN or the courts to resolve but not Epik.com?

 

[inforg]

They have to be vague and leave all options open until they see what proof is submitted. If it is as you say, they are probably still waiting for them to actually submit anything at all.

You say you think you know who it is. There has to be more to the story? They are making some prima facie case that has Epic at least investigating. Was there a deal gone bad with this person?

I don't think Epic would just give away a domain because somebody makes a claim. They have some sharp folks over there and access to all the data to see the history of the domain.

Epic doesn't really have a stake in something like this other than their reputation. To think they would waste resources to arbitrarily move domains to other people seems odd.

 

[inforg]

You keep talking around the issue trying to make it seem like it is just some random bad luck for you. You know exactly who it is, and even Epik referred to you as the "web developer" in the dispute.

You came here with half a story looking to get sympathy or shady advice, because you think "domainers" behave that way. As a general rule, we do not. An unfortunately common perception.

Based on all the information you have dribbled out, this domain does not belong to you. Just give it to them and move on. If you feel they owe you money for services provided, get your documentation together and go to small claims court.

As a general business rule, any domains I acquire for a client, I make them create a registrar account and I push the names into it once I've set the nameservers if needed. I never want my client's names in my account and to have that responsibility. In my opinion, the only reason people would keep a client name is to have leverage later = bad/shady business.

 

[inforg]

They didn't adjudicate anything. They simply put the domain on transfer hold because the complainant made a preliminary case that the domain was stolen. They then referred the complainant to UDRP to actually adjudicate it. Give the guy his domain.

Epik isn't the one who is acting unethically or immorally here.

You are upset because you wanted to bounce the name around to different registrars just to spite this person and be difficult. I get it, when friendships go bad over business, they go REALLY bad.

I like seeing that a registrar actually takes some action to at least lock things in place so they can be investigated. I don't want a registrar that is going to look the other way if they have possession of a stolen domain and allow that person to transfer it out.

 

[inforg]

So all your nameservers are still set and you can do everything but transfer the name out?

That doesn't seem entirely unreasonable as a general rule. I know if I had a domain stolen I would want them to do at least that while the issue was resolved. Give the complainant some time to either prove ownership or reveal themselves as a scammer/nut.

Maybe you read into that "implicit threat to transfer the name" a bit?

I'm not an Epic fanboy (I have zero domains there currently), but they seem like pretty straight shooters and one of the more domainer friendly registrars to me.

I think this will wrap up quickly to your satisfaction.

 

[sharfab]

I think what is being left out are the details to the "review" that is described in the email Epik sent him. We need the full story surrounding facts of this "Incident" that keeps getting evaded and not being mentioned, addressed or discussed in this conversation. Little details like that can shed light on the bigger picture to what actually occurred and also possibly validate one party or expose the other party who could be at fault.

 

[twiki]

I need a premium registrar for my best domains. (Cost isn’t the primary concern.) I’m looking for a company with a strong respect for due process and personal property rights.

Could someone suggest an appropriate service provider? It’s not Epik.

I would recommend Dynadot.

Edit: To be more clear, I had various issues with most registrars and have accounts with like all the big ones. Never had any single issue with Dynadot which holds most of my names today. And there are many NP'ers here that would agree to the above.

 

[noneisnone]

you are all over the place broski take a chill pill ^^

 

[capybara]

So as it can be seen from your other thread, there is a UDRP filed against your domain. Every registrar is obliged to lock the domain in such situation.

 

[inforg]

There has to be some info besides “some guy says it is his”. Unlikely a registrar is going to freeze a name just from somebody emailing them and saying “hey, that's my domain”

I feel like you are leaving something out. Is it reportedly stolen? Do you have the proof of how you acquired it? Did you perhaps unknowingly buy a stolen domain?

 

[inforg]

Is the domain name in question a blatant trademark infringement? Registrars have some duty when it comes to that issue.

Otherwise, you'd be correct that it isn't a normal behavior for a registrar to get involved.

Best advice is to contact an IP lawyer immediately.

 

[Clover]

He is a member here, maybe you can contact him.

Yes, this is not up to Epik to take matters into their own hands.

 

[Boutique Ink]

Yes, this is not up to Epik to take matters into their own hands.

Thank you, @Clover, for confirming my hunch. I’ve never had an experience like this with any other registrar.

 

[Tia Wood]

Could be someone trying to steal your domain claiming that it was stolen. If that is the case, it sounds like Epik is trying to do due diligence.

 

[Tia Wood]

@inforg, after Epik.com locked my domain, they tried to negotiate a domain sale between the unidentified “complainant” and me. (I didn’t ask them to do that.) I assume Epik.com would receive a commission for the transaction; that would be their financial incentive to get involved.

I doubt Epik would go through the trouble to broker a hand registered domain name against the owner's wishes. Either something is being misunderstood or they just want to do due diligence against whatever complaint is being made which shouldn't work out for the complainant.

 

[twiki]

unfortunately, i cannot echo your message. i have had problems with dynadot and it was not pleasant dealing with them

Yes it's possible. A certain number of users will anyway have issues with any particular registrar.

Just sharing my experience.

 

[karmaco]

Unfortunately, your facts are wrong. You’re not very close to the situation, nor am I asking for a second opinion on my choices.

I know what’s right and wrong; I need help managing Epik.

This isn’t the place to “manage” Epik. Maybe you need to manage your own behavior better.

You start an incendiary threat with zero facts or proof, you talk in riddles, blaming things on Epik because you kept a domain you bought for a client. This is not the place especially when you refuse to provide any facts.

Take it up with Epik and take care of your UDRP.

 

[karmaco]

Nothing you are saying makes any sense at all. Epik tried to sell your domain for you? Why? Did you ask them to? And what came of it? There are missing details here bigtime.

Epik has its flaws like all registrars but I have never heard anything like this. What facts are you leaving out and why post here and not get on the phone with @Rob Monster?

 

[Boutique Ink]

Unfortunately, @Rob Monster’s response mistook me for the “complainant” instead of the registrant. Oh, well:

****,

What exactly did you hope to accomplish with this citation?

Do you think we enjoy settling disputes when parties are too broke, too lazy or too presumptuous to settle it amongst themselves or through a competent court?

If you did your homework, one thing you should understand by now is that my tolerance for bullies and thugs is very low. From what little I have observed, I can imagine that you were not fair or kind to your developer.

Prior to this note, I have stayed out of the fray, and I have taken a neutral position on that topic. As such, I would say that your tactic was a misstep.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[koolishman]

So as it can be seen from your other thread, there is a UDRP filed against your domain. Every registrar is obliged to lock the domain in such situation.

People jump to conclusion about Registrars in public without stating context.

 

[D Haynes]

Epik.com has locked my domain for eleven days now, @pinkdragon. They haven’t been as forthcoming with information or reassurances as I would like.

I’ve begun the long process of moving my domains away from them. It looks like this has to be done one at a time. (Is there a faster way?)

Once the transfer has been initiated and accepted at the new registrar you can go into your Epik account and "accept" the transfer which will make it almost instant. Go to you transfers tab and then outgoing. Last time I moved some domains out it took 15 mins from start to finish.

 

[D Haynes]

Not that I know of sorry.

On Epik’s dashboard, it appears I can only request domain transfer authorization codes one at a time. Is there a bulk option?

 

[Future Sensors]

I need help managing Epik.

@bhartzer is able to help in such cases (stolen domains, etc).

 

[Start]

Also, something to consider is that I think all UDRP case decisions become public later. And they have a lot of the details regarding the case, and dispute between the parties.

So you and the complainant may not want your "laundry" to be aired that way - publicly and online basically forever. So maybe tell the complainant about that aspect, to try to get them to settle the issue directly - by paying you some reasonable amount for the domain (and possibly site files if needed).

Or if they're so spiteful that they would want to air laundry to spite you even if it's negative for them: Then you could also look into "reverse domain name hijacking"... and if applicable, tell the complainant about the potential for you to file for that later, but that you would prefer to avoid it, and want to instead settle directly.

It wouldn't make logical sense to me for the UDRP system to be used to circumvent paying web designers / web hosts.

 

[Boutique Ink]

Is the domain name in question a blatant trademark infringement? Registrars have some duty when it comes to that issue.

Otherwise, you'd be correct that it isn't a normal behavior for a registrar to get involved.

Best advice is to contact an IP lawyer immediately.

The domain doesn’t contain any trademarks, nor has Epik.com indicated there’s a trademark violation.

Nevertheless, the domain is frozen, and I can’t transfer it or even change the nameservers.

 

[Boutique Ink]

I feel like you are leaving something out. Is it reportedly stolen? Do you have the proof of how you acquired it? Did you perhaps unknowingly buy a stolen domain?

I was the first person to register the domain. I came up with the name; it had never been registered before.

Even if the “complainant” were right and I’m wrong — that’s not the case here — it seems strange a registrar would intervene. That’s why I’m posting.