I'm seeking advice on how to recover a domain I registered but lost access to due to a dispute with a former co-founder. A few months ago, I set up an AWS account for a project with a friend, where I did all the technical work, including purchasing the domain dfuseapp.com, which was registered under my name. Although I received notifications and handled the domain registration, the payment was processed through her AWS account. Since we parted ways, I've discovered that the domain has been restored to her AWS account without my knowledge. After reaching out to AWS support and providing them with all relevant documentation, they informed me that they can't assist without a court order because the registrant-of-record points to her account. I'm currently moving forward with a new domain, but I'd like to know if there's any way, outside of legal action, to recover the lost domain based on this situation. Has anyone been through something similar?
2 Answers
Unfortunately, in situations like this, your options are pretty limited. It sounds like you would need to consult with a lawyer to explore your rights further. It’s unfortunate, but AWS typically won’t get involved without a court directive.
Just to clarify, being listed as the registrant contact doesn't necessarily mean you registered the domain. It may be under her account, which complicates things further. You might want to check if you still hold any legal claim, but it sounds like an uphill battle.
Actually, if you're listed as the registrant contact, that could support your legal claim to the domain. You might still have a chance!