Businesses must improve their domain name management or risk being embroiled in lengthy and costly dispute resolution processes, according to web hosting firm Fasthosts Internet.

The company reported a 30 per cent rise in the number of domain ownership disputes, which it put down to firms registering in the name of an employee or third party rather than that of the business owner.

Fasthosts warned that, if these people then leave the organisation, the business owners may endure a lengthy process of trying to prove their right to own and control the domain because the former employees have become the legal 'registrant' of the name.

"While we investigate domain disputes in-house and support businesses as much as we can, the process inevitably takes some time and there is always the possibility that business activity can be disrupted," said Fasthosts chief marketing officer Steve Holford.

"Rather than domains being overseen by an IT colleague or agent, businesses should audit them like a business asset and keep an eye on their status."

Fasthosts advised firms to ensure that domain names are registered with up-to-date information, and to amend any inconsistencies.