After a 22-year struggle, software developer Rick Brewster has finally secured the domain name Paint.net, matching the branding of his long-running image editing application. For over two decades, users seeking the software were forced to navigate to GetPaint.net, as the owners of the Paint.net domain consistently refused to sell the URL or demanded what Brewster described as "lots and lots and lots of money."
The situation reached a turning point in December 2025, when the domain owners redesigned the site to mimic the official Paint.net download page. According to Brewster, the owners used this redesign to profit from his software's reputation by hosting advertisements and potentially malicious links. This move provided the legal grounds necessary for Brewster to pursue action against the squatters.
Brewster initiated legal proceedings, alleging that the domain owners were engaged in copyright infringement and domain squatting by profiting from his work. With the assistance of legal counsel, Brewster successfully won the rights to the domain, effectively ending the two-decade dispute. As reported by Neowin, Brewster confirmed the acquisition through a post on X, marking a significant resolution for the developer.
Brewster is now in the process of migrating his content to the new domain. While the site is currently sparse, it is intended to become the primary hub for the software. To maintain accessibility, the legacy GetPaint.net address will remain active and function as a redirect to the new URL. "There are 22 years of links out there that still need to work," Brewster explained regarding the necessity of the migration strategy.
Paint.net has historically served as a critical middle-ground tool for Windows users, offering more robust functionality than the basic MS Paint while remaining more accessible than professional-grade software like GIMP or Photoshop. The acquisition of the domain finally aligns the product's official web presence with its established brand name, resolving a long-standing point of frustration for both the developer and his user base.
