Identify domain holder /
DENIC DISPUTE
Assertion of legal claims to .de domains
Important note
A DISPUTE entry prevents the transfer of a domain to a third party. This gives you time to clarify your legal claim to the domain. DENIC does not decide on the legality of the claim, but only manages the process.
Identify domain holder
You can view registered data for a domain via our public WHOIS-query (domain query) Since this query initially provides anonymized results in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you must demonstrate a legitimate interest in order to obtain the complete owner data.
Under certain conditions, DENIC will provide information upon individual request.
Proof of legitimate interest
Name and Trademark Rights
If you are the owner of a right to a name or trademark that may be violated by this specific domain, you can request information about the holder of the domain with the form provided by DENIC for this purpose.
You will find more detailed information in the form itself.
Public Authorities
If you are a public authority and intend to act in the exercise of your public powers (for instance in relation with law enforcement, risk prevention or by means of a garnishing order), you may request information about the holder of a domain in certain cases by means of the form provided by DENIC for this purpose.
You will find more detailed information about the individual case groups and the conditions to be met in the form itself.
Garnishment under Civil Law
If you have obtained an enforceable title against the domain holder and intend to garnish the domain holder's claims defined in the domain contract or have already done so, you can assure yourself that the domain holder is actually the holder of this specific domain by using the form provided by DENIC for this purpose. Due to data protection reasons, there is no possibility, however, to query which domain is held by a specific debtor.
You will find more detailed information in the form itself.
Please note: Due to data protection reasons, there is no possibility, however, to query which domain is held by a specific debtor.
Insolvency Administrator for the Assets of the Domain Holder
If you are an insolvency administrator for the assets of an (alleged) domain holder, DENIC can provide you with information as to whether the respective debtor in insolvency is actually the holder of the domain. Please fill in the form provided by DENIC for this purpose.
You will find more detailed information about the conditions to be met for being provided information in the form itself.
Infringements of Rights by Websites
If you consider the content of a website under a .de domain to be illegal (e.g. due to violations of personal rights or copyright), the following procedure is provided:
- Check the legal notice: The operator of the website can usually be found in the legal notice there.
- Use abuse contact: If the legal notice is incorrect or missing, you can send a notification to the abuse email address. You can find this address via our domain query (WHOIS).
- Direct enquiry to DENIC: DENIC can only provide you with information if the above steps are unsuccessful. To do so, you must demonstrate that you are personally and significantly affected by the content.
Please explain in writing by e-mail to whois[at]denic[dot]de to what extent you are significantly affected and enclose appropriate evidence.
Important note: The domain holder does not have to be the same as the website operator.
No information about the holder
In all other cases (which do not correspond to the above reasons), DENIC does not generally provide any information.
Important note: DISPUTE application
You must demonstrate your legitimate interest in order to submit a DISPUTE application. A DISPUTE entry prevents the domain from being transferred to third parties, giving you time to seek legal clarification.
Your DENIC DISPUTE application
Use our DISPUTE online assistant to prepare your DISPUTE application easily and in just a few steps.
5-10 minutes • No registration • Free of charge
Or
Manual alternative
Still unsure or have further questions?
All detailed information about the DISPUTE procedure and the legal framework.
More about the DISPUTE procedure