The Expired Domain Deletion Policy is an important policy for all ICANN-accredited registrars to adhere to. It is designed to ensure that domain names are properly managed and to protect the interests of both the domain name registrant and the registrar.
Under the Expired Domain Deletion Policy, a domain name must be deleted or canceled by the end of the auto-renew grace period if the registered name holder has not consented to its renewal. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if the registrant is subject to bankruptcy proceedings, or if a UDRP action is taken against the domain name, the registrar may choose to renew the domain name. In these cases, the registrar must maintain a record of the extenuating circumstances associated with renewing the domain name for inspection by ICANN.
Furthermore, registrars must provide notice to each new registrant about their deletion and auto-renewal policies. This should include the expected time at which a non-renewed domain name would be deleted relative to the domain’s expiration date. If a registrar makes any material changes to its deletion policy during the period of the registration agreement, it must inform the registrant of the changes.
If a registrar operates a website for domain name registration or renewal, details of its deletion and auto-renewal policies must be clearly displayed on the website. In addition, any fees charged for the recovery of a domain name during the Redemption Grace Period must also be stated.
Finally, if a domain name is the subject of a UDRP dispute and is deleted or expires during the course of the dispute, the complainant in the UDRP dispute will have the option to renew or restore the domain name. The registrant will still retain the right to recover the domain name during the Redemption Grace Period, or to renew the domain name before it is deleted.
In summary, the Expired Domain Deletion Policy is an important policy for all ICANN-accredited registrars to adhere to. It is designed to protect the interests of both the domain name registrant and the registrar, and to ensure that domain names are properly managed.