GoDaddy (NYSE:GDDY) patent covers a number of methods for transfering domains as the result of an aftermarket sale.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted patent number 9,954,818 (pdf) which covers a number of aspects of selling an expired domain.
The patent is a continuation-in-part of many other patents and is titled “Domain name hi-jack prevention”. However, the claims are directly related to certain aspects of domain name aftermarket purchases.
These include the fast transfer system used by Afternic, which involves getting pre-authorization from a seller and its registrar to transfer a domain name in the event of a sale. It also lists methods of handling domain name escrow transfers as well as selling expired domains.
Sarah Ptalis (Sr. Director of Product Management), Paul Nicks (VP, Aftermarket) and Frank Taylor (Director of Premier Services) are listed as inventors.
Paul Nicks says
Funny enough if it weren’t for you covering this I’d have never realize it got grated, thanks.
Paul Nicks says
I apologize for typos, pet peeve of mine