Who Is Controlling Domain Names?

The control of a Domain name is dependent upon who owns the Domain name. There are three terms connected with a domain name: Registrant the person who is the person listed as the owner in the records of the Registrar. The Resgistrar is the person or the entity who is authorized by ICANN to issue domain names to others. Then there is the
Administrative contact, the Technical contact and the Billing contact.  These people can be the Registrant or anyone of them can be the Registrant.

To put this all in simple terms here is an example if, I own a Domain name, and purchased the name from a (Registrar.) (These are the people who sell Domain names online.) Google, Yahoo, Free Webs, MSN, Netfirms, Webair, Discountdomains and similar entities who own domains, and sell them to people like you and me.  If, when I purchased my domain I signed up as the administrator contact, the billing contact and the technical contact is would have control of the domain. I would be the owner of this domain name. If, I am listed as an unidentified owner, then anyone who wants to know who owns my domain cannot get that Information because I signed up for unidentified ownership. I would be the administrative contact, technical contact and billing contact. I would receive all contacts from the seller of ICANN regarding the domain name.

If, I have another domain name and my webmaster is my technical contact, administrative contact, and billing contact. The annual bill and all technical control of the domain is owned by the Webmaster who is my administrator. I could make no changes, sell my domain or move it without my administrator doing these things. I am listed as the owner, but in this case I do not control the domain. I tell the Webmaster what I wish to be changed for instance on a website, but I would not have the capability to make the changes.

So the basic answer to your question is the person who owns the domain name and whose name is listed as owner by the registrar and recorded with ICANN is the person who controls the domain. Go to KEYT LAW at the address: www.keytlaw.com/urls/whocontrols.htm for additional information related to Domain Ownership.