When I type in a domain name which consists of my last name and ending
with ".com", I arrive at a web site which already owns that domain
name (as well as thousands of other last name domain names, (see
http://www.mailplanet.com/domains/mcnulty.com).  They are a business
entity, not a person with the last name of mcnulty.  I heard that you
could obtain control of these domain names if you had the same last
name.  How do I obtain ownership and control of the "mcnulty.com"
domain name?

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Clarification of Question by mcnuj2439-ga on 28 Aug 2003 15:01 PDT

Since posting this question early this morning, I have done
considerable reearch and have confirmed what I already know, ie how
difficult it is to obtain a domain name and the fact that legal help
may be recommeded by a researcher.

Please allow me to clarify that I am not looking for a general answer
about the ICANN rules, or where to find a vendor who can sell me a
website name, or how to find an attorney who will represent me in a
legal battle to wrest control of a domain name away from someone.

The answer I am looking for must result in my obtaining my desired
domain name.  That mneans that the researcher must actually obtain the
name for me or provide instructions so that I can do it myself, for no
acquisition cost other than the $10 per year or so that is charged by
Go Daddy or any other reputable service that assigns internet names.

Hi Mcnuj2439-ga ~

Since you have investigated the procedures and ICANN rules, I'm sure
you are aware that there is little chance of obtaining the name for no
more than the cost of registering the domain unless the present owner
is willing to give it up.

Your best chance would be to approach them and ask them to transfer
the domain to you, have you tried that?

Serenata

I am not aware of anyone gaining control of a domain name purely
because it is their surname. Logic dictates that when many people have
the surname, you have no more right to it than any of the others. If
the domain is being used as an email service for people who identify
with that surname, then that seems to be a fair reason for ownership,
and it is also accessible to people like yourself (for a price).

Here in Australia there is a new option, the domain id.au, so I could
buy bloggs.id.au. or whatever. There is also .name, so you could buy
brian.mcnulty.name:
http://www.directnic.com/help/faq/index.php?question_id=388