Claiming Abandoned URLs

How do you go about doing this?

[cyril kearney]

A defunct site has a URL that very similar to mine. It's registration runs out in November. The site owner says he will not be re-registering the site.

How long after the registration runs out can I register this URL? I mean is there a grace period? Do I simply register the URL or must I do something else?

[ggrot]

I'd try to get the owner to sell you the domain - it would put it in your hands alot faster. You might also go the snapnames.com route. Usually you will have to wait a good while for that grace period. I might be wrong, but I think I recall it being 90 days ?

[rcjordan]

I agree w/ ggrot. I'd offer a nominal amount to the current owner to transfer it rather than have it go public. I also recall the grace period as being 90 days.

[Hunter]

cyril,

I completely agree with ggrot and rcjordan. If you definitly want the domain (and some piece of mind) I would offer the current owner the amount that he originally paid for it (just ask him how much he paid to register the domain) and tell him you will pay all transfer fee's. If he feels like he is getting his money back for what he paid he will give it to you. In effect, you are paying for insurance that you get it before it is let go to the open market.

[cyril kearney]

Reaching the owner was my first approach. He agreed to transfer it to me at no cost.

About twice a month I bug him, he keeps agreeing but never gets around to doing it. I then offered money but he declined. Now his latest is for me to just pick it up after the time runs out.

I doubt that anyone else would pick it up but the name is important to me.

[sarkye]

I'm pretty sure you can put your name on a list at NetSol to be notified as soon as the name's available for registration again. Would that work for ya?