I was looking at buying domain names the other day and was confused by a paricular whois entry.
The entry says that the name expired October 30, 2006. But it is listed as not being available for purchase. In addition, the registrar, www.dynanames.com doesn’t even appear to be in business.
So has this domain name already been ordered and the new information isn’t relected? How long does it normally take for a name to open up to the public?
After a domain is expired, the proper function of the domain will cease within 4 to 48 hours caused by an automated change in the nameserver addresses which the domain delegates authority to. While expired an alternative website may display when website viewers attempt to access the domain.
Grace Period
Domains which expire are given a 29 day grace period for renewal. Expired domains may be renewed during this grace period.
Redemption Period
Once a domain is expired for more than 29 days, it is taken out of ownership of the registrar, and held by the registry for an additional 30 days in what is known as the Redemption Period. During this period the original domain owner may pay a fee for the domain to be restored to the ownership of the owner.
There are rare occassions where the registrar or registry may choose to hold a domain in the redemption period for an extended period of time. This usually occurs with domains which are in high demand, thus giving the original owner an extended period of time to still claim the domain.
Pending Delete
For five to six days after the redemption period ends the domain will await deletion from the registry. Once the domain is deleted, it will be available for anyone in the public to register via any registrar.
So technically, the redemption period for a domain expiring October 30 would be year-end with a few days give or take to actually delete it?
That sounds right.
I’ve had domain names usurped from under me before they had the grace periods.
The person who took it was “camping” on the renewal by checking hundreds of sites every day for expirations.
Then he tried to make me pay a premium to get my domain back.
Since I had been planning to change names anyway, I didn’t bite.
But I did make sure my next registrar would promise to give me ample notice before the time ran out again.