User:Adrianeu/Info237/Combined

Domain sniping

Domain sniping , also known as drop catching, is the practice of an individual registering a domain name whose registration has lapsed, immediately after expiry. This practice has largely been stopped by the the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers ICANN, with an addition to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) of the Redemption Grace Period (RGP), which allows registrants 30 days after expiry to reclaim their domain name.[1] By law there are no perpetual rights to domain names after payment of registration fees lapses, aside from trademark rights granted by common law or statute. ICANN's RAA requires registrars to delete domain registrations once a second notice has been given and the RGP has elapsed.

Although domain registrars often make multiple attempts to notify a registrant of a domain name's impending expiration, a failure on the part of the original registrant to provide the registrar with accurate contact information makes an unintended registration lapse possible. Unless the original registrant holds a trademark or other legal entitlement to the name, they are often left without any form of recourse in getting the domain name back. It is incumbent on registrants to be proactive in managing their name registrations and to be good stewards of their domain names.

Prior to the RGP, individuals could engage in domain sniping in order to extort money from the original registrant to buy their domain name back. The addition of RGP has largely abated the ability to "snipe" domain names. The competition for expiring domain names has since become a purview of the domain registrar. Retail registrars such as GoDaddy or eNom retain names for auction through services such as TDNAM or Snapnames. These drop catch services are performed by both ICANN-accredited and non-accredited registrars. Currently, ICANN has no policy for how to handle expired domain names after registration has lapsed past the RGP.

Domain name warehousing

Domain name warehousing is the practice of registrars obtaining control of expired domain names already under their management, with the intent to hold or “warehouse” names for their own use and/or profit. The Registrars Accreditation Agreement (RAA) currently does not disallow this practice. However, the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) community has open calls for policy changes to limit warehousing, which is perceived as unfair to potential registrants. Also see domain name front running, [drop catching] and domain tasting, related business practices employed by registrants.

Typically this practice occurs after a domain name has expired and the previous (registrant) has not exercised his or her right to renew the name within the allotted time frame; usually 45 days following expiration. A domain's expiration date and time can be calculated based on the expiration date in the [[1]] and the redemption grace period of the registrar managing the domain registration.

According to GNSO Council Deletes Task Force Report (2003), a council organized under the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), three specific modes of warehousing were identified:

According to the Generic Names Supporting Organization Council GNSO Deletes Task Force Report (2003), a council organized under ICANN, three specific modes of warehousing have been identified:

1. The registrant allows the domain name to lapse, but registrar fails to delete the domain name during the grace period, resulting in a paid renewal to the registry. The registrar subsequently assumes registration of the domain name.
2. The registrant purchases the domain name through fraud and the registrar assumes registration of the name to resell in order to minimize losses.
3. The registrar registers the domain in its own name outright.

The primary concern today with the practice of Domain Warehousing is that retail registrars, which have historically focused on serving individual and small business registrants, are now actively collecting lapsed domain names and offering drop catch services that conflict with the concept of fair access to domain names.

An additional concern is that companies pooling scores of drop registrars for additional registry connections will stand at the expiring domain spigot conducting domain tasting without paying, and then warehouse those that meet traffic criteria while denying the broader community a fair opportunity to compete for those expiring names.

As of yet, ICANN has not amended the RAA with policies to limit domain warehousing and related practices. Registrars are in a unique position to impact domain name pricing by introducing competitive bidding or auctions for expired domain names. Fair access to domain names is further impacted when registrars opt not to market the warehoused domains immediately, delaying the recycling of warehoused names indefinitely.

External links

• ICANN's report: GNSO Council Deletes Task Force Report