Expired domain hasn't deleted after 17 months (question)

[jumpfromairplane]

Hi--

I recently contacted a domain owner about buying his domain, and he replied pointing out that the domain had actually expired over a year ago (March 2005). The registar (network solutions)'s WHOIS data agrees--the domain was regged in March 1998 and expired in March 2005.

I called network solutions and tried to register it, and they basically told me that it hasn't been deleted because the status is REGISTRAR-LOCK, and that I should contact the admin contact and ask him to unlock it and transfer it to me. That wouldn't be so bad, since I would be able to get the domain, but if I could save a bunch of money by convincing the registrar to delete it since it expired over a year ago, that would be even better.

Anyone have any idea what's going on here? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[alex_d]

Actually had something similar happen to me with a couple of domains I had that I let drop. They were cancelled from my account, yet 12 months later, the whois showed that they were still registered to me, even though I didnt have them in my account, nor did I pay for the renewal.

I still can't work out what happened with those, but I guess when you drop a name, there is always a chance that it won't actually drop.

Alex

 

[Dave_Z]

Assuming netsol's WHOIS indeed says the domain name expired in 2005 and it's
on Registrar-Lock rather than Registrar-Hold, then they should delete the name.
But there are very few cases where their systems "just forgot".

On the other hand, this might present an opportunity for you to gain ownership
of the name without having to wait or risk it being acquired by another. Tricky
part is to somehow get the current contact to approve it, if feasible.

If the current registrant isn't too keen about it, better notify netsol to get them
to delete the name per ICANN policy that registrars can only retain an expired
domain name up to 45 days:

http://icann.org/registrars/eddp.htm

3.7.5.1 Extenuating circumstances are defined as: UDRP action, valid court order, failure of a Registrar's renewal process (which does not include failure of a registrant to respond), the domain name is used by a nameserver that provides DNS service to third-parties (additional time may be required to migrate the records managed by the nameserver), the registrant is subject to bankruptcy proceedings, payment dispute (where a registrant claims to have paid for a renewal, or a discrepancy in the amount paid), billing dispute (where a registrant disputes the amount on a bill), domain name subject to litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction, or other circumstance as approved specifically by ICANN.

3.7.5.2 Where Registrar chooses, under extenuating circumstances, to renew a domain name without the explicit consent of the registrant, the registrar must maintain a record of the extenuating circumstances associated with renewing that specific domain name for inspection by ICANN consistent with clauses 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 of this registrar accreditation agreement.

3.7.5.3 In the absence of extenuating circumstances (as defined in Section 3.7.5.1 above), a domain name must be deleted within 45 days of either the registrar or the registrant terminating a registration agreement.

Again, this is assuming you read the status and the expiration date correctly.

 

[seeker]

currently, any registrar can hold a name that they see fit for as long as they want.

the first registrar to do this was indeed NEtsol, but now includes many registrars because of a loophole that has been discussed many times over the last 1.5 years.
basicly, at some point, the name will be auctioned off...