# How do I steal this domain name?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 2, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206 "2003-06-02T20:08:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sycorob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@sycorob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sycorob)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206/1 "2003-06-02T20:08:49Z")

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There’s a domain name that I’ve wanted since college (it’s actually my last name). $30 a year seemed a lot then, but now…

So I looked it up the other day ([register.com](http://register.com) whois search), and it’s actually registered to a company called [NetIdentity](http://www.netidentity.com/).

Furthermore, the expiration date is June 6, 2003.

As far as I understand it, if they let their registration lapse, it’s free and clear. If (for some unknown reason) they let it go, is it mine for the grabbing? Is there any way to ensure that I get first crack at it when it goes public?

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**Author:** ![Severian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@Severian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Severian)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206/2 "2003-06-02T20:19:54Z")

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Try going to [www.verisign.com](http://www.verisign.com) and backordering the domain. They’ll register it for you as soon as the exisiting registration lapses.

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**Author:** ![sycorob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@sycorob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sycorob)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206/3 "2003-06-02T20:34:04Z")

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An excellent idea, but it says I can’t. Apparently, somebody else is trying to do the same thing.

Not looking good.

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**Author:** ![Severian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@Severian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Severian)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206/4 "2003-06-02T21:01:36Z")

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Yeah, I’d say you’re stuck. Try some other variation like [SmithWeb.com](http://SmithWeb.com) or [TheSmiths.com](http://TheSmiths.com).

You could also approach NetIdentity directly and see what services they offer. As the existing registrant they have first dibs on the domain. Perhaps you can have them renew it and buy it directly from them.

It’s worth a shot.

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**Author:** ![El\_Cheapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8e7dd6/32.png) [@El\_Cheapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cheapo)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-steal-this-domain-name/179206/5 "2003-06-03T02:35:59Z")

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I used [namewinner.com](http://namewinner.com) to grab one.