Getting in touch with a domain owner

Posted by David on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by David
Published on 2010-03-30T02:56:05Z Indexed on 2010/03/30 3:03 UTC
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domain-name

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whois

There is a domain name I want to use for a new business I am starting. It is a perfect fit and I really have my heart set on getting it.

Only the .com of the name is registered, and I'm pretty sure the owner has forgotten about the domain. No changes have been made in 3 years, and the WHOIS information is a (almost funny) dead-end

Listed email bounces
Listed telephone goes to wrong number
Listed mailing address physically no longer exists (I looked it up on Google streets, the nearby houses have been demolished and it looks like it's being turned into an apartment complex)
Owner name is "D Smith" (do I have to call every D Smith in the region?)

My question: Is there any way to track down the owner of a domain besides the WHOIS record?

© Server Fault or respective owner

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