Sold domain years ago, buyer never finished transfer after payment

[linkreach]

Long story short, back in late 2005 I sold a domain I own on here. The buyer paid the money pretty quickly and we started the transfer process. Midway through the transfer process, the buyer seemed to just disappear. No replies to e-mail or anything like that. I still retain the domain but I haven't done anything with it other than pay the renewal costs in case this person happened to come back. Almost 12 years later (haha I know right?) I'm figuring they aren't coming back.

I guess my question is... how long do I need to wait for this type of thing before trying to sell the domain again or even start developing it again? I figured it may be some sort of legal thing, so I figured this would be the right place. If not, then I apologize.

Thanks!

 

[denny007]

Imho after you first renewed it with your own money, because it became expired domain.

 

[ukbackorderukbackorder is verified member.]

I think after 12 years you can let it drop I wouldn't sell it to anyone else though just let it expire. It sounds like the person who bought it may have died - it happens.

 

[Mr. DeletedMr. Deleted is verified member.]

If its a good name, it is in essence now "expired" as the registrars sell such names that were never paid for. For a decade you have paid for it, so I say it's yours now.

 

[Theo]

Did it ever complete ?

 

[alwaysforGod]

It may be brutally honest, but yeah like denny said, once you renewed it, as in it would have dropped, i would agree it became yours. I, also, would not have been satisfied with that however, and would have waited and waited as well. But since it is 12 years down the road I advise contacting their last place messaged from, give them a few more months, then do as you will. Nothing to say you couldn't be prepared in case they show back up though!
Maybe, it occurs to me, they liked you and wanted to do you a favour without saying so :]

 

[domaindot]

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.

Email them at ALL known emails. Leave voice mails at ALL known numbers.
(I'd make an honest, all out effort here)

Let them know the situation (that they owe you renewal fees) and let them know if you don't hear back from them, the domain will be dropped or will become yours (whatever you want to happen).

Send/leave the same message a second time after a month or so. Let them know it is the final notification.

Wait for a month.

Legally (see disclaimer) and ethically, that should be it.