Where does it say freenode has changed hands at all?
Not here: https://freenode.net/project
Seemingly not here?: https://imperialfamily.com/
Merely linking to freenode.net under "technology" is less than convincing.
Not here: https://freenode.net/project
Seemingly not here?: https://imperialfamily.com/
Merely linking to freenode.net under "technology" is less than convincing.
Freenode people have now moved on with a new name. But the reason was that yes that company did have some control over that domain name apparently.
Go to the Freenode IRC (if it still exists) and talk to the people there.
Then go to the Libera.chat IRC and talk to those people.
You can confirm where the people are.
It seems London Trust Media recently rebranded as Imperial Family Companies; londontrustmedia.com now redirects there.