Legal

Removal Requests

How the takedown process works for SharkDEX listings.

DomainShark indexes Australian domain names that have expired and become re-registrable. The data we publish is taken from the public DNS, never from WHOIS contact records. Even so, there are good reasons a specific listing might need to be pulled, and this page explains how that process works.

1. What we will remove

We will action a removal request where any of the following applies:

  • the domain is the subject of a current trade mark, copyright or intellectual-property concern;
  • the listing creates a foreseeable risk of harm (for example, where a previously-held domain is being associated with a person and that association is unwanted);
  • the domain has been re-registered and the new registrant prefers it not to remain in the historical drop record;
  • the domain falls within auDA Published Policies or registrant-protection rules that we are required to honour;
  • the domain is a clear typo, mojibake artefact or import error that should never have been listed.

2. What we generally will not remove

The SharkDEX exists so that legitimate buyers can find re-registrable Australian names. To keep that useful, we generally will not action a request that is solely a commercial preference, for example:

  • a request to hide a still-unregistered domain so the requester can register it later without competition;
  • a request to mass-remove a portfolio of names that have lapsed in the ordinary course;
  • a request to remove a name on the basis that “it is mine because I owned it once” without any current legal or licensing basis;
  • vexatious or repeat requests where the same listing has already been reviewed and a decision made.

Where we decline a request we will say why, in writing, and outline the steps available to you if you disagree (see Section 6).

3. How to submit a request

Removal requests are submitted from the page of the specific domain you want removed:

  1. open the domain's page on DomainShark, for example /domain/example.com.au;
  2. scroll to the Request removal section near the bottom of the page;
  3. fill in your name, a contact email, the reason for the request, and any supporting context (registration number, trade-mark number, prior-registration evidence, etc.);
  4. submit. You will receive an in-page confirmation and an email receipt with a reference number.

One request handles one domain. If you need to remove several related listings, submit each one separately and reference the others in the “additional context” field so we can group them on our side.

4. What happens next

Once a request reaches our queue:

  • we acknowledge it automatically by email (check spam if you do not see it);
  • a human reviews it against the criteria above, usually within 2 business days;
  • if we approve the removal, the domain is added to our suppression list and stops appearing in search, random picks, the marketplace, the homepage ticker, and any future API responses. The domain's detail URL begins returning a 410 Gone response with a brief notice page;
  • if we need more information, we will reply by email asking specific questions;
  • if we decline, we will reply by email with our reasoning.

You do not need to follow up; we will close the loop one way or another.

5. Evidence we may ask for

For most requests we do not need evidence; a clear explanation is enough. For some categories we may ask for one or more of:

  • a trade-mark or patent registration number;
  • a prior registrar invoice or transfer confirmation showing past holding of the domain;
  • a sworn declaration of identity where the listing involves a personal name;
  • a court order, regulator notice or auDA determination, where one exists.

We do not require statutory declarations as a default; we only ask where the request would otherwise be difficult to assess.

6. If you disagree with our decision

If we have declined your request and you disagree:

  • reply to the decision email with any additional context that has come to hand;
  • if the matter relates to personal information, you may also escalate to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au;
  • if the matter relates to a .au domain policy concern, you may raise it with auDA at auda.org.au;
  • if the matter involves intellectual-property infringement, your legal representative can write to us via our contact form with “Legal Notice” in the subject line.

7. Bad-faith requests

Submitting a removal request you know to be false, or impersonating a registrant or rights-holder, is a breach of our Acceptable Use Policy and may be unlawful. We retain the technical record of every request (timestamp, IP, submitted content) and reserve the right to cooperate with law enforcement where bad-faith activity is identified.

8. After a removal

Once a listing is removed:

  • the SharkDEX will not re-publish it through ordinary indexing;
  • if the same domain re-enters the drop pool in the future under a fresh registrant, it may reappear, because at that point it is a different real-world record. You can request removal again if needed;
  • cached copies of the page held by third parties (search engines, archives) are outside our control; we will, on request, supply the standard removal evidence those services typically ask for.

9. Related