ICANN has announced an important change to its Registration Data Policy that could affect who is legally recognized as the owner of your domain name. The update takes effect August 21, 2025, and it changes the rules for determining domain ownership.

The Key Change: Who Owns Your Domain

• Currently:
  The Registrant’s first and last name listed in your domain’s contact details defines the legal owner of the domain.
• From August 21, 2025:
  If the Organization field in the registrant contact is filled out, that organization will be considered the legal owner of the domain.
  The first and last name will be treated only as a point of contact – not as the owner.

What this means:
If your domain is registered with your company name in the Organization field, your company (not you personally) will be the legal owner. This can be an advantage if that’s intentional – but a big problem if it’s not.

Next Steps for Business Owners

1. Review your domain contacts
   Check the registrant contact information for every domain you own.
   • If you want the organization to be the legal owner ensure the Organization field is correct.
   • If you don’t want an organization listed as the owner clear or update the Organization field so the legal ownership stays with the individual listed as the Registrant.
2. Update before August 21, 2025
   Once the policy takes effect, the ownership status will follow the new rules.

Other Changes You Should Be Aware Of

• Domains will no longer require multiple contact types (Registrant, Admin, Technical, Billing).
• Registries will collect and store only the required contact type(s), often just the Registrant.
• Any unused contact information will be deleted from registrar systems.

Why This Matters

Domain names are strategic business assets. Clear and correct ownership records help you:

• Avoid legal disputes over control.
• Protect your brand and online presence.
• Ensure smooth transfers or sales in the future.

Mistakes in ownership records have led to costly disputes and even the loss of valuable domains, as we’ve documented in our Halloween special on domain name horror stories. This policy change makes getting it right even more critical.

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We hope the above information will help you in making informed decisions about your brand. If you want to say hi or have any questions about naming, branding, and domain names get in touch, we’re always happy to hear from you.

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