Why some domains never drop. A real-life conversation...

[-db-]

The Focus: An expired .US domain.

We've been watching this domain, waiting for it to drop. It expired in April of this year, 5 months ago! So we contacted the registrar to enquire about why the name had not dropped, and why the whois date had been updated/modified to show an extra year had been added onto it.

The only thing changed below is the registrars name modified to "COMPANY NAME" because I'm not trying to slam them in particular, and they are not the only ones doing it.

- The following is the real email conversation, beginning with the registrars first reply to our simple question asking why the name hadn't dropped.

During the first 30 days of our 40 day holding period, the previous registrant will be able to renew the domain through their COMPANY NAME account. If the domain has not been renewed by day 30 after expiration, then the domain may be sold at auction by COMPANY NAME in the last 10 days of our 40 day holding period.

If the domain is neither renewed or sold at auction by COMPANY NAME during the 40 day holding period, then the domain will be released to the central registry where it will enter Redemption Period status.

The redemption period will be for 30-35 days, thereafter this period will be in pending deletion period for about 10-15 days.

Thus, the total number of days a person must wait before one could purchase it would be about 75-85 days.

- To which we replied..... (after seeing conflicting dates in different whois reports)

Well, can you please check this domain "xxxxxxxx.us" because the whois report indicates it's either been 5 months since it expired, OR.. doesn't expire until next year.

Something is not right.

The domain has expired. Sometimes, when a domain expires we hold on to the domain name as a courtesy to our customers. By us holding on to the domain name we allow our customers to redeem to the domain name through us for a small fee. This domain is currently being held and will not expire until April 24, 2007.

- To which we replied...

That's a very generous period of time to hold, a whole year, yes?

Will it actually drop back into circulation April 24, 2007?

Or just start the cycle over again from the start?

Thanks again.

The domain expires on April 24, 2007, however it can be renewed again after this period is up. The 75-85 day period would being from April 24, 2007, if the domain is not renewed.

- To which we replied...

But the 75-85 day period already began in April of THIS year, 2006.

But you decided to hold it for a whole year, after that expiration date.

Now you are saying, after that extra year, the 75-85 day period will begin... ?

That doesn't make sense. Keeping the name "expired" for over a year?

Plus, who's to say you won't just hold it for another year after that? This name may never drop.

Not to mention, why are you holding it for a year to begin with? Can you answer that?

We as a domain registrar are allowed to hold the name for as long of a period as we deem necessary. The whois information for the domain says the domain expires April 24, 2007. We have the option of renewing this domain name if we decide to or sending it back to the Central Registry. As far as what we are going to do with the domain I am not sure. However, if you would like to register this domain name in another extension please go to COMPANY NAME and search for the domain name.

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There you have it!

How about that..... "as long of a period as we deem necessary".

This is not the only registrar doing it. And nobody seems to be policing them.

It's very disturbing, really.

 

[Dave_Z]

I can only think of 3 reasons:

1. Someone was up to something fishy.

2. Someone made a mixup of details somewhere.

3. There were legal issues.

Re: #3: ICANN does allow a registrar to retain an expired domain name if a
dispute has occurred but hasn't received notice of resolution. I saw one case
where Network Solutions retained an expired name for more than a year until
it appears they finally unlocked it and transferred it to the new party.

Let me hint the registrar's ID: it starts with a T and it moos. :D

 

[-db-]

Let me hint the registrar's ID: it starts with a T and it moos. :D

Oh, I guess there's no harm in saying....

The registrar is directNIC and the domain is FreeSpace.us

 

[fab]

Obviously they want to hold it for themselves.

 

[lazyleo]

I have also seen many domains in the Redemption Period..staying the same but their expiry dates extending to 1 year. This is weird and "as long of a period as we deem necessary" tells it all they will do whatever they want wheneva they want.

 

[Dave_Z]

Aw shucks, I guessed wrong. Oh well...