Who is the owner of a domain name?

ICANN

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the entity responsible for managing the Domain Name System (DNS) to make sure that every address is unique and that all users of the Internet can find all valid addresses. It does this by controlling the distribution of unique IP addresses and domain names. It also ensures that each domain name maps to the correct IP address. ICANN is also responsible for the accreditation of domain name providers for certain extensions, meaning ICANN identifies and sets minimum standards for the performance of registration functions, recognises persons or entities meeting those standards, and enter into an accreditation agreement which outlines the standards applicable to domain registrations.

The registry

A registry is the organisation which controls specific extensions (TLDs). A registry is normally only responsible for one extension and registers this extension generally only to registrars directly and not to registrants. The registry stores Domain Name Service (DNS) information (domain name, name server names and name server Internet Protocol [IP] numbers) along with the name of the domain name provider that registered the name and basic transaction data. The cost of each extension is set by the registry, this cost is transferred to the registrar and finally to the registrant.

The registrar (domain name provider)

A registrar (accredited by ICANN) or domain name provider registers domain names to registrants. The registrar stores customer information as well as the technical information given to the registry. Registrars process name registrations for Internet end-users and then send the necessary information to a registry for entry into the centralised registry database and ultimate propagation over the Internet. Other services are often provided by the registrar such as email accounts, web hosting and page parking.

Who is the "owner" of a domain name?

The legal "owner" of a domain name is the individual or company whose name is listed at the time of registration. This "owner" is called the registrant. Strictly speaking the registrant does not "own" the domain but is the person who has the rights to it. The only way to legally change the rights to a domain name is to undergo a registrant transfer of domain name.

The contacts

The registrant of the domain name should choose the following contacts. It is possible that the same person is responsible for all fields.
  • The administrative contact : This person is authorised to make decisions and perform most domain management functions on behalf of the registrant. Generally the assignee or an authorised person is the administrative contact.
  • The technical contact : This person should handle the technical aspects of the domain, such as hosting your web site as well as making decisions regarding IP addresses, and authoritative name servers for the domain name.
  • The billing contact : The billing contact is the contact for all the financial aspects concerning the registration, transfers and the renewals of a domain name and reports to the registrant. This person receives the invoices for any charges relating to the domain name.