Domain name acquisition and management system and method
View Patent ↗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.
1. A computer-implemented method for domain name management comprising the steps of:
arranging a computer for communications over a network;
receiving at the computer an electronic request from an interested entity to monitor a domain name registration sponsored by a registrar;
storing the request in an interested party electronic database;
monitoring a current status of the domain name registration by accessing a domain name registration database via the network;
detecting that the domain name registration has expired;
determining a deletion time period during which the expired domain name registration is expected to delete from the registry; and
during the expected deletion time period but prior to deletion, transmitting a request to the sponsoring registrar to enter a new registration of the domain name on behalf of a new registrant to succeed the expired domain name registration.
2. A method for domain name management according to claim 1 wherein the monitoring step includes monitoring database records maintained by the registry in association with the said domain name registration.
3. A method for domain name management according to claim 1 wherein the monitoring step includes monitoring expiration information maintained by a sponsoring registrar in association with the said domain name registration.
4. A method for domain name management according to claim 1 and further comprising transferring the new registration of the domain name to an interested entity.
5. A method for domain name management according to claim 1 and further comprising auctioning the new registration of the domain name among interested entities.