Hm... but do you really "own" a domain name? My understanding that legally all domain names are public property and you can only "lease it" for a period of time

Hm... but do you really "own" a domain name? My understanding that legally all domain names are public property and you can only "lease it" for a period of time. However, if you can prove that a certain domain name is the name of your business (and you have a legit, valid business running) and a scumbag like this fucker "owns" but does not use your name, you can claim that domain in court. I heard google did this with google.ru in russia: the asshole-domainer who "owned" it got nothing.