You can freely build on How to Automatically Track and Act on Internet Domain Name Expirations

What this patent covers

This patent describes a method for automatically monitoring domain name expiration. It involves receiving a WHOIS record for a domain name at a first time, which includes an expiry date (a second time), as described in Claim 1. The system then calculates the time difference between the current time and the expiry date. This calculated time difference is then provided to a 'second entity' (a user or system) who does not have permission to modify the domain's registration information. For example, if a user requests information about 'example.com', the system retrieves its WHOIS record, sees it expires in 30 days, and can then notify the user that 'example.com' is nearing expiration, possibly adding it to a watch list (Claim 5) or even attempting to register it after it expires (Claim 6).

What is now free to use

All 1 claims of US 8037168 are in the public domain. Specifically:

The 1 dependent claim add narrowing limitations and are also free.

What is NOT covered

Patent expiry frees this specific invention. Separately-patented improvements made after expiry may still be protected.

• A system that only displays a WHOIS record without calculating or providing a time difference value (Claim 1).

• Monitoring domain names where the user receiving the information has permission to modify the domain's registration (Claim 1).

• A system that only provides a one-time lookup of an expiry date without determining if it satisfies a condition or monitoring for expiration (Claims 2-5).

• Monitoring other types of digital assets, such as social media handles or IP addresses, that are not domain names (Claim 1).

• A system that only notifies the original domain owner about their own domain's upcoming expiration.

• Attempting to register a domain name that is not determined to be available or soon-to-be available for registration (Claim 6).

Who is building on this today

Major domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Dynadot offer services that monitor domain expirations and allow users to backorder or pre-register domains as they become available. Specialized domain drop-catching services also operate based on similar principles, attempting to register domains the moment they expire and become public. Brand protection companies also utilize such technology to monitor for expiring domains that might be relevant to their clients.

Products built on expired version of this technology

How to cite this patent in your documentation

ESDR Network Solutions LLC. US Patent 8037168. Method, product, and apparatus for enhancing resolution services, registration services, and search services. Granted 2011, expired 2024. Now in the public domain.

Note: This is a convenience citation. Consult a patent attorney for formal freedom-to-operate analysis.

PatentBrief is an educational resource and does not provide legal advice. Patent expiration information is derived from USPTO records and may not reflect continuation patents, divisional filings, or separately-patented improvements. For commercial use or production decisions, obtain a formal freedom-to-operate (FTO) opinion from a registered patent attorney.