TL;DR
A contractor finishing an older PHP site encountered multiple DMCA takedown notices from the original developer, which disrupted hosting and forced a migration. The site was temporarily restored via Cloudflare, the client paid the developer to resolve one complaint, then the registrar ultimately cancelled hosting after a repeated escalation.
What happened
A contractor was hired to finish an older PHP website and hand it off to an offshore SEO vendor. The site was hosted at a registrar/hosting provider on name.com. After initial work, the client received a DMCA takedown notice that disabled the nameserver while the host investigated; the hosting account and domain credentials remained available. To restore service quickly, the contractor moved DNS to Cloudflare’s free tier and pointed it at the hosting IP, bringing the site back online. The original developer who built the site claimed unpaid fees and submitted DMCA notices to both the registrar and Cloudflare. The contractor advised the client to stand firm and migrate to a host less likely to remove content, but the client paid the developer and the developer responded that the complaint was resolved. Shortly afterward the registrar cancelled the hosting account due to the escalated takedown, refunded the client, and left the team with domain access only. The site was later migrated to a new host chosen by the client.
Why it matters
- DMCA notices can be used to interrupt website availability quickly, even before disputes are resolved.
- Reliance on a single registrar or host can leave site owners vulnerable to service loss if complaints escalate.
- DNS and CDN tools such as Cloudflare can provide temporary mitigation but may not prevent escalated enforcement.
- Payment disputes with developers can have operational consequences beyond contractual terms, affecting uptime and migrations.
Key facts
- The contractor was hired to finish an older PHP site and hand it to an offshore SEO company.
- The site was hosted at name.com when the initial DMCA takedown occurred.
- Nameserver was disabled by the host while the complaint was investigated; hosting and domain access reportedly remained.
- The contractor moved DNS to Cloudflare’s free tier and pointed it to the hosting IP to restore the site temporarily.
- The original developer filed DMCA notices claiming they were owed more money.
- The developer also served a notice to Cloudflare, which forwarded it to the hosting service.
- The contractor advised the client to stand firm and migrate hosting to a provider less likely to comply quickly with takedowns.
- The client paid the developer; the developer replied that the complaint was resolved and the DMCA notice suspended.
- After an escalation the registrar cancelled the hosting account, refunded the client, and left only domain access.
- The client selected BlueHost for the new hosting and the contractor migrated the site there.
What to watch next
- Whether the developer will file further takedowns or repeat the behavior: not confirmed in the source.
- Whether the new hosting on BlueHost will remain stable if additional notices are issued: not confirmed in the source.
- How long registrars or hosts will take to resolve disputes or reinstate service in similar cases: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- DMCA takedown: A notice under the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act requesting removal or disabling of access to allegedly infringing content.
- Nameserver: A DNS server that translates domain names to IP addresses and directs where a domain points on the internet.
- Registrar/Hosting provider: A registrar manages domain registrations; a hosting provider stores website files and serves them to visitors. Some companies provide both services.
- Cloudflare (CDN/DNS): A service that can provide DNS hosting, content delivery, and security features; often used to route traffic and mitigate outages.
Reader FAQ
What triggered the outage?
A DMCA takedown notice sent to the registrar disabled the site’s nameserver while the provider investigated.
Did moving DNS to Cloudflare permanently fix the problem?
No — Cloudflare restored the site temporarily, but a subsequent notice and escalation led the registrar to cancel hosting later.
Did the client follow the contractor’s advice?
The contractor advised standing firm and migrating hosting gradually; the client instead paid the developer and later moved hosting to BlueHost.
Is the long-term resolution or legal outcome described?
not confirmed in the source
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Sources
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