Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on where the expired domains dropcatching services source their names from? Do they have deals with the various registrars, or does the AUDA provide this information?

auda doesnt provide the list. Each registrar has their own list they they may or may not distribute.

If they have a registrar license then they can build software to query ausregistry's database and look for expiring names.

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So, a company like Domain8 has deals with a bunch of different registrars?

No they are a registrar so I think they get upto 4 connections into the AusRegistry database at any one time.

My guess is they query the database over night with a list of names they generate and then use the 4 connection to snap up names during the drop zone.

They list names from registrars who don't provide them with lists - that much I do know so unless they have a copy of the Ausregistry database (which they shouldn't) they must be compiling a database of names and the cross referencing them.

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