Should we use personal or company name when registering domains?

[james2002]

I read a news about verizon won $33 millions aginst OnlineNIC.

I am wondering whether we should use our person name or company name. If company is limited, the damange will not affect our own property if any problems with domains.

I don't want to be thrown away onto a street overnight because of these problems.

What do you think?

 

[draggar]

I use my name - if I don't have any TM names then I am pretty safe, I think (tell that to all the generics lost to WIPO?)

 

[james2002]

Yes, I am also using personal name. But now I am thinking to change to my company limited name.

 

[Johnn]

Use company name.

DoNotSueMeLLC.com

 

[Bill Roy]

Limited companies can also form part of the package for sale along with the domain name, and as you rightly point out a limited company status is recognised legally as a seperate entity with only the assets of that entity put at risk.

If developing a site then the small cost involved in making a company Limited status is small, although in doing so it may be worth while spending just a few pounds more and instructing a reliable local accounting firm to register the company for you, this is especially true if there could be any shadow of a doubt about future WIPO or other legal actions (always best to have the i's dotted and the t's crossed).

Like many areas of domaining this is not clear cut and has to be assessed each on an individual basis with regard to domain name and future development or use of the domain.

 

[Sonny Banks]

I use my name.

 

[DNBA]

Limited companies can also form part of the package for sale along with the domain name, and as you rightly point out a limited company status is recognised legally as a seperate entity with only the assets of that entity put at risk.

that also happens with purchasing commercial property. its better to have an LLC for domains that are 100k +

 

[rianvisser]

Why would you prefer using company names? Are everyon into trademark issues? Lol

I also think that only a handful of people here will be able to pay a fine like that.

 

[Deleted member 111831]

What is the best and cheapest country to setup a limited company in?

 

[james2002]

In UK, I set up a limited company for around £100 . It is not bad price.

 

[jacal1]

Depends on what you register...if there is any chance at all that someone will sue you for anything more than the $250 or so it takes to form an LLC, then yes. I register under my name, and that actually motivates me to think twice about what I reg, which isn't a bad thing.

 

[Gerry]

If this is a repeat of any other response, so be it. I read the original question and did not want to be swayed by others opinions.

I ALWAYS reg names in the name of my LLC for this very reason...to keep me out of it.

Having a company name does not do squat if it is not a recognized legal entity like INC, LLC, or any of the others.

I want a complete and total separation of company assets and personal assets.

In this lawsuit crazed country, one can never plan for what can, might, will and does happen. I have had people threaten to sue me over domains for any number of reason...

I got a domain on the drop and it used to be theirs and they want it back or will sue me...

I sold a domain, it expired several months later while in the account with the new owner not renewing, and they are going to sue me because I let it expire...

Most of the time the threats come from NooBs that do not know domaining in general.

ALWAYS have a clear and full separation of business and personal assets.

 

[south]

ALWAYS have a clear and full separation of business and personal assets.

Exactly. Business is business - keep it that way. Keep your personal assets and your business assets separate.

 

[katherine]

Incorporating is the way to go, unless you're a small time domainer with few domains.
If it's more a business than a hobby to you, incorporate. This is also for other reasons like tax, legal liability etc

 

[Wire]

I have a US Corporation. The fee isn't much if you do it online and you are immune from all litigation personally. So if some clown sues me and wins $1m, I fold the corp and start a new one. No loss to me or my personal credit, even though I am the president, ceo and sole employee.

Of course this doesn't presume that you are some dolt who just builds corps for the express purpose of violating TM law - which would then hold you liable if the government caught on. Always keep your nose as clean as you can and come to an agreement out of court if possible.

 

[gooster]

In UK, I set up a limited company for around £100 . It is not bad price.

Accountancy fees should be taken into account. That will cost you £x,xxx annually. Speaking to an accountant he said financially in the UK you don't want to set up a limited company unless you have a turnover of over £60-70k per year.