Did you register the domain name before their trademark ? There are several ways under the Uniform Domain Resolution Policy whereby they can come after the domain name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Domain-Name_Dispute-Re...

To answer the other question posted to your question. Registering a trademark in an attempt to take a domain name from someone else is know as Reverse Domain Name Hijacking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_domain_hijacking

thank you that really helped learn more about the topic..

Try the contests over at http://www.namestation.com/contests

That was 2010 right ? I'm going to throw this out there...The 2015 price point for a dictionary .com name of that caliber is double that at least.

Every domain registrar handles an expiration of the domains they manage differently. Godaddy for example has a 43 day period, during which they take over and auction the domain name, before it is returned to the registry. Watch here for an even more confusing explanation : https://plus.google.com/events/ciopq0tcu12eshli77qp37s2scc

Many other registrars cycle their domains through auction platforms like snap names and name jet. Few names actually end up in the pending delete status that you may have read about. My advice is to backorder the domain everywhere you can or hire someone to chase after the name on your behalf. It's really going to depend on where the domain is registered and where it is in this cycle.

If it's a really good name like herron.com and you see it "expired" it'll probably be renewed. There's a grace period, so the owner has plenty of time to renew a domain after the expiration you see in the whois.

Just requested my moniker.com password and they just went ahead and emailed it to me in plain text without any sort of authenticating. Great security features.

I also see the IP 88.150.178.59 in my logs. No missing names that I can see.

LOL - "The principle of the matter"

Fun idea Daniel. I'll throw something in.

pud, we've talked domains before, through a mutual friend Jay W. Anyway, call Godaddy and ask them for an executive lock on all your domains. Also ask for an executive account rep. Once you have both of those, Godaddy actually calls you and your rep will request a pin number of you. Your names will only move if you give them permission to move. Other registrars have this level of security too. Hit me up if you want a referral to a good rep over there.

you're gonna be a busy dude Larry. I'd like to chat you up too. Thanks

Just set this up, you can email me here: startupdomainadvice@gmail.com

Hi - email address?

From someone who also works with and helps entrepreneurs to acquire domains, I think you got a great score here Brett and your persistence has to be noted. I'm sure it didn't take 1 email

Only one question I'm curious what your "non-low-ball" initial offer was if you got it for such a reasonable price.

Before we even had the idea for "HALL" we tried medium.com, foundation.com etc... to explore the possibility. We were never really excited about these names. We started the conversation off by offering $5k. That didn't work out well. The owner essentially blocked us after emailing back w no thanks.

We even considered the idea of leasing a domain which is doable.

Clearly you didn't research the owners well. They are owned by some of the savviest guys in the domain business. They are also sitting on some of the best portfolios of names and have very little incentive to sell for anything but a really high price.