Tracing the ownership of web site

[qcamel]

I am looking for some advice please. A website has written slanderous remarks about 3 of my employees who were charged with a very serious crime and then completely exhonorated by the courts, I feel that I would like to pursue some form or legal re-course against them but no idea where to start looking for the editor/owner...

Any thoughts appreciated.

website is http://www.theburglarsdog.co.uk/

Kind regards

Ollie

[MikeCC]

Look here Internic.co.uk Click on lookup in the middle about 1/3 down the page.

[benc]

doing a view source on the page brought up the following two names: john egdell, mark jones, putting that with the internic results, looks obvious that mark jones would be the guy you need to contact

[qcamel]

wow, thats fantastic, thank you....

Ollie

[pmorgan]

Use a 'whois' website (but whois in google). This is the result I got



Domain name:
theburglarsdog.co.uk

Registrant:
Mark Jones

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
38 Arkwright Street
Saltwell
Gateshead
Tyne Wear
NE8 4TY
GB

Registrant's agent:
Brightview Internet Services Limited [Tag = FREENETNAME]
URL: http://www.brightview.com

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 21-Apr-2000
Renewal date: 21-Apr-2008
Last updated: 18-Mar-2006

Registration status:
Renewal request being processed.

Name servers:
map1.global.net.uk
map2.global.net.uk
map3.global.net.uk
map4.global.net.uk

WHOIS lookup made at 11:43:07 20-Apr-2006

Hope that helps.

[Andy Gee]

Try www.domainwhitepages.co.uk .
Andy

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by qcamel

I feel that I would like to pursue some form or legal re-course against them but no idea where to start looking for the editor/owner...

Has the offending text been removed, or is it still there?

If it's still there, then I would suggest a polite but firm email pointing out the error and asking them to remove it. You may be able to negotiate an amendement/correction/apology, but it would probably be best if all reference to the accusations just disappeared. You could try emailing mark@theburglarsdog.co.uk as a first point of contact.

If you don't get a response, or they refuse to correct their statement, then you may possibly be able to take further action although libel action in the courts (which would be your "legal recourse") is a last resort. It's costly, and you've no guarantee of a result. I wouldn't even consider it.

If you do decide to get solicitors involved, make sure that they don't make unsupportable threats and make sure that you have the resources to follow it through. Silly blustering solicitors letters are not likely to get you far!

Good luck

John

PS From what you have said it sounds unlikely that you personally would have any grounds for action, as it would be the individuals who have allegedly been libelled . . .

[qcamel]

Thanks for your thoughts and help.

We are a company that owns a number of bars and clubs in Newcastle and this website is very rude about them all, although I must say that he is rather humorous in his abuse and so I am happy to let him write what he wants. His dislike of my type of buisness is clear but who cares??

However my problem is that last year there was a death in one of my units. My 3 doormen were charged with murder by the police and two weeks ago a judge threw the case out before hearing the defense as he felt the police had not acted in a proper manner and that it was clear no crime had been commited. All 3 were completely exhonorated.

This website now see's fit to laugh about my 'murderous doorstaff' and warn customers that they too may be kicked to death. I find this offensive on many levels. My staff who are innocent should not have this written about them, the widow of the deceased man should not have his death made into a story nor should his 3 children have to deal with this. Many lives have been forever affected and I think that to make light of this is innappropriate at best.

I want it simply retracted, my legal threat would only be to achieve this. As far as resources go I am happy to do what it takes for the better good of all concerned.

I have now written to his home address simply asking him to remove the statement, i hope this achieves what I want without further action.

Thanks for all the help and advice. I will keep you posted.

Ollie