Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention reliably effect successive registrations of a domain name through implementing a backorder system (504) integrated with the registry (520) maintaining the current registration for the domain name. Because the backorder system (504) is directly integrated with the registry (520), a successful new registration can be achieved following the lapse of the current registration. The registry can employ modified registration control logic and new and modified registry commands (324). These modifications to the standard registration system enable a registry (520) to limit successive registrations of the domain name to an entity, such as a registrar (500), that employs the backorder service (504).

Abstract: A method for identifying a registered domain name as auctionable is provided. The registered domain names may be pulled from a database of desired domain names, such as a collection of domain names that one or more interested entities have requested to register using a domain name registration system. Requesting a domain name may be probative of demand for the domain name. Accordingly a domain name receiving a threshold level of interest may be tagged as auctionable. For example, a domain name may be tagged as auctionable when a total number of interested entities is at least equal to a minimum threshold of interested entities. Tagged domain names may be acquired by an escrow agent when a current registration expires and auctioned among interested entities. In addition, the owner of a tagged domain name may be notified to see whether the domain name can be auctioned before expiration.

Abstract: A method for identifying a registered domain name as auctionable is provided. The registered domain names may be pulled from a database of desired domain names, such as a collection of domain names that one or more interested entities have requested to register using a domain name registration system. Requesting a domain name may be probative of demand for the domain name. Accordingly a domain name receiving a threshold level of interest may be tagged as auctionable. For example a domain name may be tagged as auctionable when a total number of interested entities is at least equal to a minimum threshold of interested entities. Tagged domain names may be acquired by an escrow agent when a current registration expires and auctioned among interested entities. In addition, the owner of a tagged domain name may be notified to see whether the domain name can be auctioned before expiration.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for transfer fulfillment or reassignment of an expired internet domain name registration to a new registrant before the registration is purged from the registry. In one example, the method calls for first identifying a registered domain name of interest, for example through expressions of interest by users of a web site; or receiving backorders from interested entities for a new registration of the domain name. Second, auctioning the expiring domain name among the interested entities. And finally, before the registration is purged from the registry, reallocating the domain name registration to the winner of the auction so that the domain name registration is not deleted by the registry.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention can accept an indication of a domain name or set of domain names from interested entity. The desired domain names are names that an interested entity desires to register through a domain name registration system or systems, such as that operated by a registry-accredited registrar. The system can closely monitor the domain name registry or registrar databases used to provide domain name resolution or registration over a distributed network, such as the Internet, and determine the expiration or availability of the name or names supplied by the interested entity. When a desired domain name appears to be available, the system can register or re-register the domain name through a domain registration service. If there is more than one interested entity for a domain name, the system can also facilitate an auction for the domain name.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention integrates a domain name monitoring and acquisition service with a registry system. The monitoring and acquisition service can receive a request from a registrar to acquire a domain name. The monitoring and acquisition service also can receive a pending delete notification from the registry for a domain name having a registration that is about to be deleted. The pending delete notification can be received before the registry issues a public delete notification or purges the domain name, at which point the domain name is registrable by the first-responding registrar. If the domain name that is the subject of the pending delete notification has a corresponding acquisition request received by the monitoring and acquisition service, the monitoring and acquisition service can request acquisition of the domain name for the requesting registrar.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention can accept an indication of a domain name or set of domain names from interested entity. The desired domain names are names that an interested entity desires to register through a domain name registration system or systems, such as that operated by a registry-accredited registrar. The system can closely monitor the domain name registry or registrar databases used to provide domain name resolution or registration over a distributed network, such as the Internet, and determine the expiration or availability of the name or names supplied by the interested entity. When a desired domain name appears to be available, the system can register or re-register the domain name through a domain registration service. If there is more than one interested entity for a domain name, the system can also facilitate an auction for the domain name.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention reliably effect successive registrations of a domain name through implementing a backorder system (504) integrated with the registry (520) maintaining the current registration for the domain name. Because the backorder system (504) is directly integrated with the registry (520), a successful new registration can be achieved following the lapse of the current registration. The registry can employ modified registration control logic and new and modified registry commands (324). These modifications to the standard registration system enable a registry (520) to limit successive registrations of the domain name to an entity, such as a registrar (500), that employs the backorder service (504).