Getting a domain already registered

[expat]

I didn't claim any kind of 'right answer' I just asked a question. I'd forgotten that domains automatically expire if not paid for, I was picturing unused and forgotten domains piling up with no way of reclaiming them for active use.

Ah. Yes, somebody is paying for it. If they stop, then it will become available again, at least until some squatting service snaps it up. I have had domains that I allowed to lapse appear later for sale at somewhat surprising prices, which shows that either I'm a poor businessman, or they are chancers.

[AtW]

We'll all be dead by then

That schweine flu might interfere with the Grand Plan for sure

[Platypus]

until official SKA News post...

We'll all be dead by then

[AtW]

You can try using services that will register domain if it expires, chances ain't very good however - better think if some word combination that has not been used yet as domain name and market it to create your own unique brand.

SKA is following this path pretty successfully but I'll keep the details of it until official SKA News post...

[d000hg]

Automatically recycled under what circumstances? Should there be a time limit on using the domain to host a web site that you find worthwhile? What you describe is a domain that is in use, to host a web site. The fact that you think that the use is worthless is irrelevant. If you license your car every year, but never seem to drive it anywhere, can I take it off you?

I didn't claim any kind of 'right answer' I just asked a question. I'd forgotten that domains automatically expire if not paid for, I was picturing unused and forgotten domains piling up with no way of reclaiming them for active use.

[Alf W]

Who's in the bidding for www.minceur.net then?

[expat]

If you come across a domain you want and find it is already hosting a page that has clearly been put up 10 years ago and forgotten about, can you get it somehow?

I found one which simply has a blank "under construction" page dated 2000. Is there any system whereby domains can be automatically recycled? Of course for a site in use, I could actually buy the domain but in a case like this, it might be impossible to trace the owner - they most likely have moved house and no longer use the same email or mobile phone number etc.

Automatically recycled under what circumstances? Should there be a time limit on using the domain to host a web site that you find worthwhile? What you describe is a domain that is in use, to host a web site. The fact that you think that the use is worthless is irrelevant. If you license your car every year, but never seem to drive it anywhere, can I take it off you?

Anyway, there are other uses for a domain, all legitimate. For example, it may be used for email only (this is quite common, I have such a domain). And indeed the entire .net space was intended for internal internet use, not for web sites.

[Bright Spark]

Guy must still be paying the annual domain registeration so yeah check
whois first, or see if it's listed on http://www.sedo.co.uk

[Mich the Tester]

Deposit 60000 euros in my Nigerian bank account and you can have mine.

[chicane]

Have you already performed a WHOIS on the domain to get details of the owner? It makes sense to try contacting them this way before exploring any other options.

[d000hg]

If you come across a domain you want and find it is already hosting a page that has clearly been put up 10 years ago and forgotten about, can you get it somehow?

I found one which simply has a blank "under construction" page dated 2000. Is there any system whereby domains can be automatically recycled? Of course for a site in use, I could actually buy the domain but in a case like this, it might be impossible to trace the owner - they most likely have moved house and no longer use the same email or mobile phone number etc.