Reglikedomain industry desk

Expired domain “held for ransom”?

Foster agency failed to renew domain and states it is being held for ransom.

The practice of domain investing can get a bad rap sometimes, and this story is an example of why.

A UK foster agency used the domain name littleacornsfostering.com for many years but failed to renew it earlier this year. Someone bought the expired domain and is asking the firm for £9,000 if it wants to buy the domain.

A couple things come to mind when reading this story.

First, I’m surprised that the agency didn’t notice the domain expired during the required DNS disruption. This is a period of at least eight days that the registrar must change the DNS to alert the owner that the domain has expired.

Second, I personally stay away from domains like littleacornsfostering.com that seem like they would only be used by one firm. I buy expired domains that were previously used, but only if it seems like there would be a broad appeal for the domain name rather than selling it back to the firm that previously owned it.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

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