Does the hosting provider own the clients?

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Posted by @Jesse, 09-15-2009, 04:57 PM
My question is short and simple: If I sold as a reseller then decided to open my own hosting business, would I be free to take my current clients with me? Or do they now belong to the current hosting provider?
Posted by MikeTrike, 09-15-2009, 04:58 PM
They are your clients as they are entering an agreement with you and not your reseller account provider.
Posted by @Jesse, 09-15-2009, 05:02 PM
Thanks mike. Was just curious as I have never looked at a reseller account before. Only shared, vps, and dedicated
Posted by MikeTrike, 09-15-2009, 05:04 PM
Yeah, same thing applies, there legal mumbo jumbo in there that they are entering a binding agreement with you and not your provider. Thus there could be legal ramifications if your provider tried to claim them. The same applies if a reseller just dumps their clients, the provider of the reseller account is powerless to help those left out in the cold clients. Due to possible legal backlash from the original reseller account holder.
Posted by Brian-de-vie, 09-15-2009, 06:44 PM
Generaly I'd agree with whats been said for 'most reseller' arrangements, but for the 'reseller arrangements' that are closer to 'affiliates', then it's likely to be quite differant. You just need to read ALL the T&C you sign up to, to make sure you know where you stand.
Posted by MikeTrike, 09-15-2009, 06:57 PM
There's a pretty defined line between reseller and affiliate. But a good point none the less, maybe godaddy resellers fall under that category? I've never read any of their agreements though, curious.
Posted by explodingwumpus, 09-15-2009, 09:45 PM
Well generally they would be your clients, but i'd read through the ToS of your Reseller just to be sure
Posted by SSD-Greg, 09-16-2009, 12:03 PM
Isn`t that called stealing if your provider comes in and takes custmers, but threw the server?
Posted by iHubNet-Matt, 09-16-2009, 01:24 PM
Surely the clients belong to you as others said. Having a reseller account with any host you are their client. But they don't have any power over the clients you are hosting in that reseller account; provided there is no tricky statements in their TOS. But I am sure that no reputable provider will do that.
Posted by @Jesse, 09-17-2009, 12:12 PM
thanks guys
Posted by iHubNet-Matt, 09-17-2009, 12:58 PM
You are welcome
Posted by LushHost, 11-24-2009, 04:54 AM
Thanks also for the info
Posted by Planetventrilo, 11-26-2009, 11:19 PM
It depends on what's stipulated in the transfer. I would put something in writing either way.
Posted by IfHost, 11-26-2009, 11:51 PM
This is exactly right. They are yours 100%.
Posted by hostwebdata, 11-27-2009, 12:38 AM
All ways read the TOS before buying or email them is the best way
Posted by mellow-h, 12-03-2009, 11:41 AM
Customers registered under your policy, definitely belongs to your company You agreed to your hosting company policy, so you belong to that company, not your customers

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