I was just looking through some possible Domain Names and the one I’d really quite like is, inevitably, taken. However, I read through the info and found this:
Record last updated on 06-Jun-2000. Record expires on 21-Aug-2000.
Record created on 20-Aug-1996. Database last updated on 22-Aug-2000 07:39:20 EDT.
Wow, that was intersting !! But now I’m confused. The registration expired yesterday, it seems to have not been renewed (because the database was updated today and no update was mentioned) but the Domain is not up for grabs at the moment.
Anyone waited for a domain to expire - does it take a while for the d/b to catch up ?
Depends on which registrar (Network Solutions, register.com, etc.) administers the domain.
They tend to give the current registrant a grace period. One of them that I’ve dealt with says they give a grace period of “60 to 90 days” before they make the domain available again. I asked, “So which is it, 60 days or 90 days?” They said it becomes available on a random date sometime between 60 and 90 days after it expires. Call the 800 number and ask for their policy; but don’t tell them which domain, obviously.
Also, it’s been my (possibly paranoid) experience that you should not check the domain’s availability through register.com. Four times I checked on a domain–relatively obscure, each time; not likely to have wide application–on one day, and found it squatted on the next. I could of course be wrong, but the timing made me uncomfortable: as soon as someone shows an interest in a name, some skunk comes along and holds it for ransom.
I’m not suggesting register.com is selling info to squatters (not out loud, anyway) but perhaps a hacking squatter (squatting hacker?) has found a way to lurk in the e-stream and pick off little tidbits that float by. Or I’m just paranoid.
Network Solutions takes its own sweet time releasing expired domain names, and there’s some people who believe that they intend to claim they own the expired domain names and intend to auction them for whatever NS can get.
A little over two years ago, catalystconsulting.com reached the end of the period for which the owner had paid. About a year ago, it became available and I snapped it up. Apparently it’s gotten worse since then.
NS has also changed its terms of service to state that they can reclaim any domain name at any time for various reasons, at their sole discretion.
This may be a reaction to decreased revenues due to competition in domain name registrations. Not everybody is happy about this.
lissener – I also thought the same thing for a while then it struck me that of course they do what you’re not suggesting they do – it’s easy money. Become a reseller, skim off from other people’s input and take it to Yahoo or ebay. There’s nothing to stop them – watertight legality as far as I can judge (all someone is doing is checking the availability of a domain, it’s still first come, first served). IN MY HUMBLE OPINION !
Hmmm …interesting reading, thanks Jon.
Took me back a few years as well – reading judgements ! So it would seem that in the absence of clear policy guidelines from up top, Fairfax was unwilling to extend “established legal principles beyond their statutory parameters”. Thus a contract with Network Solutions (being deemed a contract of service) cannot be subject to a garnishment order.
Well, I suppose it could be argued that Umbro were trying it on a little but nonetheless this decision implies NS is omnipotent. Reminds me of a question once posed by a political party here “Why is there only one Monopolies Commission ?” Does the web sometimes remind you of the old wild west ?
The final link to domainnamebuyersguide talks of boycotting NS until they play fairer with contracts. Can’t see how that is at all possible – any terms included in NS’s agreement with a reseller must be passed down the line. If you want a domain now, you have to accept it, IMHO.
The decision from Fairfax was late April, I wonder if Unbro are appealing it – maybe they’re too busy lobbying Mrs Reno.
On the releasing of expired domains, NS are suggesting people check the d/b daily – yeah, right. And, of course, the system isn’t rigged so that alarm bells don’t start ringing out if a domains checked often. Presumably, there is nothing legally to stop them not releasing expired domains. It’s all looking a little unsavoury.
I don’t know, Jon – they have their finger in the pie in a couple of important ways.
First, this
Network Solutions registers the majority of Web addresses worldwide through various channels including nearly 220 companies in over 30 countries in its Premier program and over 30,000 companies in its Affiliate Program. Network Solutions has created value-added small business solutions through agreements with many leading Internet companies.
I traced NS around the world for a while but I won’t bore you with the details. It seems that NS has a near monopoly on the Registry procedure so while not having as much direct influence on contractual arrangements between registrants and whoever is their chosen Qualified Registrar, NS sure throw a few levers behind the scenes.
If they want to make life difficult for another Qualified Registrar who is (no pun intended) not toeing the line, they certainly can.