Brief description of domain name redemption cycle.
The moment a domain expires (ex: 12:01am the following day GMT) the name is returned to the registrar.
Registrars (Tucows) are charged for a domain name by the registry (Internic) in advance, so they technically own it for the next year.
The registrar holds the domain for typically 30 days after expiration.
If they want to keep it, they want to sell it, usually in an auction or something like that. Typically starting at $60.00
If the registrar does not want to keep the domain name, they file for a refund with the registry.
The registry then places the domain name into “Redemption” hoping that the original owner will want it back (at a premium of $150.00)
This starts after registrar returns the domain and the registry holds the domain typically for 30 more days after expiration. Total time redeemable is about 60 days.
After that time, the registry will release the domain back into the pool.
These days are approximate as the registrars and registry do not want people “hawking” the domains for an exact date of release. They want the $.
