is there a non-private data base that I can check to find out who owns a domain? I thought that information was available to the public?

Thankyou

hundreds of them, just about every hostname reseller has one.

chrishirst, can you tell how to find this information? Even I would like to find this information. I couldn't find any links at my hosting providers site to get this kind of information.

I have tried reverse ip look ups before but for that you need either personal or business registration.

Just go to the places that ACTUALLY RUN registration databases.

http://www.internic.net/whois.html
http://www.nominet.org.uk/

http://www.uwhois.com/cgi/domains.cgi

domaintools.com is great source for that as well

What do you mean "non private database"?
Maybe you have some examples? Would you mind to explain what you need exactly to understand better how we can assist you