> Perhaps they didn't have a website yet, but was planning on using it soon. > In the meantime, they've printed the web address on company letterhead, > t-shirts, caps, etc, and were planning to launch the business. >
So what do you suggest each reseller do? Go to each house and stand over them until they renew the domain name? Had they done all that then they should have also ensured that they renewed the domain name in a timely manner. We have enough difficulties just getting some hosting clients to renew their domain names, when they are hosting a site with the domain name. It is not a matter of inadequate notice, it is a matter of the domain owner not taking responsibility for managing their property. Sort of like leaving the keys in your car with the engine running while shopping and then threatening to sue the dealership that sold you the car because it was stolen. But this is going to get much worse when the registrars become involved in the after market selling of expired domains. At that point everybody who changes their mind about a domain that they allowed to expire will claim that the reseller/registrar did not send them notice to register the domain name so the reseller/registrar could make a profit reselling it. Which is why I think that OpenSRS's goals of becoming involved in the aftermarket is a mistake, both for OpenSRS and for their resellers.
