DOMAIN NAME EXPIRATION PROTECTION

• US 20070112950A1
• Filed: 01/24/2007
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Go Daddy Operating Company LLC (GoDaddy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Go Daddy Group Incorporated (GoDaddy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Parsons, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/626,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20070112950A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 Legal services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/302 Administrative registration, e.g. for domain names at internet corporation for assigned names and numbers [ICANN]

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for a Facilitator to provide a domain name expiration protection service for an Entrepreneur. The Facilitator may renew the domain name for the Entrepreneur if the Entrepreneur has not renewed it himself. Further, the domain name expiration protection service may be bundled with domain name registration, website hosting, assistance in website design, assistance in store front website design, website copyright registration, domain name trademark registration, website promotion services, etc.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) offering a domain name expiration protection service,

b) associating said domain name expiration protection service to a domain name, and

c) renewing said domain name according to said domain name expiration protection service.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of:

d) receiving a request to associate said domain name expiration protection service to said domain name.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of:

d) registering said domain name.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of:

d) transferring said domain name.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step c) comprises renewing said domain name in the name of an original registrant.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step c) comprises renewing said domain name in the name of a registrar.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step c) comprises renewing said domain name in the name of a third party.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step c) comprises renewing said domain name in the name of a proxy service.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of:

d) requesting reimbursement for said renewing said domain name.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of:

d) releasing control of said domain name to an original owner.

11. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining a domain name expiration protection service, and

b) associating said domain name expiration protection service to a domain name.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of:

c) obtaining said domain name.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of:

c) reimbursing a party maintaining said domain name expiration protection service for an expense associated with renewing said domain name.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of:

c) receiving back control of said domain name from a party maintaining said domain name expiration protection service.

15. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) offering a plurality of services, wherein said plurality of services includes a domain name expiration protection service, and

b) receiving a payment for said domain name expiration protection service.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes a domain name registration.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes a website hosting.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes offering assistance in website design.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes offering assistance in store front website design.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes offering a website copyright registration.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes offering a domain name trademark registration.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein said plurality of services includes offering a website promotion service.

23. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) offering a domain name auto-renewal service for a domain name,

b) offering a domain name expiration protection service for said domain name,

c) attempting to perform said domain name auto-renewal service for said domain name, and

d) if attempt to perform said domain name auto-renewal service for said domain name is unsuccessful, then performing said domain name expiration protection service for said domain name.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising a step of:

e) registering said domain name.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising a step of:

e) transferring said domain name.

26. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) a Facilitator offering a domain name expiration protection service on a Facilitator'"'"'s website,

b) said Facilitator receiving a request from an Entrepreneur on said Facilitator'"'"'s website for said domain name expiration protection service for a domain name, and

c) said Facilitator renewing said domain name after a registration of said domain name expires.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said domain name is renewed during a grace period.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said domain name is renewed during a redemption period.