Here's the deal. I bought a domain that the previous owner didn't renew and after doing some research on the domain I see he used to sell products that had the domain on it. Also, I was able to get access to accounts that where linked to a email on the domain. example Now this is a email I own so I have the right to access the accounts, I would think Now, after looking at the wayback machine I can see that when the previous owner was running the website he gave all rights on the bottom of the page to the domain name. So shouldn't I be able to use that content, images freely because now I own the domain name? I also see that the products are still being sold on other websites with my domain name on it. Shouldn't I get the commission for the sales now? The name or the domain name is not trademarked. What is my right now as I'm the owner of the domain name? Is all creative and content work mine to use now?
I'm afraid regardless of what that copyright said, you have no rights to the contents of the original website. So you "shouldn't" use their old page information, or sell the product they were selling if you found it, or use any of their intellectual property. That being said, you should be able to write new content, use the same url structures, so that all the links work and put your own self written information in there, and even possibly make a new similar product in place of where the old one was found.
But when the site was running it is clearly stated in the User Agreement that ALL rights are given to the domain name! It even talks that it's granted intellectual property rights. This is taken from the website when it was up and running: Do I still have no right to use it?
I'm sorry, I still believe you have no right to. It does refer to the domain, however the domain was under alternate ownership at the time. You now own the same address but you're not the same entity. You'd probably be better off speaking to a lawyer if you wanted to pursue this, I'm really not qualified to give legal advice. However, like registering a business name that has once before expired, it does not give you rights to use their previous information and property. It's just a name, separate from the actual IP owning entity, regardless of what small disclaimers may have said.
Perhaps, but if there's no trademarks, I don't think there's anything to stop you building your own new content around the original concept and using all the existing links you mentioned.
I would try and contact original owner (like sometimes you can lookup their former whois contact details) and just offer them some cash for all the site files. Like if you offer them $50... (ok they might negotiate for more) but its money they didnt have, and the content is of little use to them. Anything is better then nothing.
Are you for real? You've obviously now realized that you have no rights over the previous content, but no-one seems to have picked up on your illegal access of other accounts. You're playing with fire. These accounts do not belong to you - even if you do now own the domain which allows you to get the login details. If the previous owner finds out you've accessed these accounts you might find yourself having unwelcome visitors in the form of law enforcement.
You have bought the domain name.. not the portal and obviously not the contents and rights from the previous owner... If you haven't stopped using( mis-using) it you are subjected to penalty and what I can tell you is that it will be higher than the profit you can get out of the site in a short while. The bottom of webpage said the domain name owner was the owner of the site and its stuffs? Who had the domain name when it was drafted ? Who was getting the licenses for all contents and creativity? Did you make a out right sale of the website or the domain only? If you have already know the answers you have answered your query........ WHO AM I? I am a Technology Lawyer
No worries guys... I actually just contacted the previous owner and explained my situation. I just thought when it was clearly stated that the copyright owner was the domain name! NOT the persons name it would belong to the domain name. After collecting information from this forum and an lawyer I see that is not correct. I gave him access to all his accounts and asked if I could pay him some money for the use of the material and he didn't want any money and told me I could use if if I wanted. I just find the Intellectual Property Rights EXTREMELY stupid! The idea is good but this hasn't been thought out to the end... Quoting this text or sharing is not allowed... If you quote or use this anywhere else on the web I will slap the SSSS out of you! Why??? because it's my right because now I own intellectual property rights to these written words you can see above! . . . . . . . . I know it's a clever law to protect people but I believe you shouldn't be sharing stuff you want to own rights to if you can't even claim it by adding your own name to it!