RE: [ga] keeping expired domains by a registrar

[Tim Ruiz <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The easiest way for registrants to renew at near cost is to do it before
it expires. Most registrars, like Go Daddy, send multiple expiration
notices via email prior to expiration (we send five starting at 90 days
out) and in fact registrars are required by the RAA to send at least two
notices, one after expiration (see section 3.7.5 of the RAA). Many
registrars also use other methods to contact registrants for renewal
including phone and snail mail (Go Daddy does both). Bottom line, it is
ultimately the registrants responsibility to keep its registration
current.


That said, before there was any up stream re-distirbution of expired
names by registrars, expired names that dropped were grabbed regularly
by a handful of registrar entities that maintain pools of accredited
registrars just for that purpose (as others have already pointed out).
The names were then auctioned off or perhaps held if traffic indicated
they could be monetized profitably. This still takes place with names
that ultimately drop. At least one registry's response (VeriSign) to
that was the Wait Listing Service (WLS) and later the Consolidated
Listing Service (CLS). Both services were attempts to capture this
aftermarket revenue opportunity downstream at the registry level. That
should not be a surprise since VeriSign is a public for-profit company
who is expected to act in the best interests of its shareholders.
Registrars are also for-profit companies and so their reaction to keep
this activity upstream should also be no surprise.


That said, most registrars involved in the upstream market for expired
names realize that registrants are their customers and providing them
quality services are essential to the registrars continued success.
While processes may vary, most make allowances for the previous
registrant to regain their name(s) through post expiration renewal.
While that may involve additional fees of some nature, it is a more
sure process for the typical registrant than trying to compete with the
drop catching registrar pools. At Go Daddy, for the typical domain name
the registrant can regain control for anywhere from the cost of the
original registration fee to the cost of redemption from the RGP ($80
at Go Daddy, half of which goes to pay the ICANN approved registry RGP
fee). Only a small percentage of Go Daddy's expired names are
redistributed through its auction process at higher prices. 


Given the current circumastancs and applicable polies it makes no sense
for registrars to allow the process to fall back downstream since it
would have no benefit to the previous registrants and would simply
result in a less predicatble outcome.


Tim Ruiz
 

 -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [ga] keeping expired domains by a registrar
From: Andy Gardner <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, April 05, 2007 3:46 am
To: ga the DNSO <ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

On Apr 4, 2007, at 12:15 PM, Gomes, Chuck wrote:
 
 > Chris,
 >
 > It's important to recognize that a first-come, first-served approach
 > does not mean that 'anyone' would be successful at registering
deleted
 > names. Companies who focus on registering just-deleted names have
 > mastered automated systems and processes that make it very 
 > difficult for
 > the average person to play the game.
 >
 >
 
 Full disclosure of the deletion date/time (to prevent 24/7 hammering 
 of the registry) along with rules for 1-shot per deleting domain per 
 registrar would reduce the success of the automated boutique 
 registrars and make it easier for joe blow to register it at cost.