The name is in dispute. There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of legal disputes surrounding domain names. Some of these cases are high-profile , but most never make the news. According to domain expert Ellen Rony, co-author of The Domain Name Handbook , as long as a name is in dispute, the courts may order it to be kept on hold. The registrant owes money on the name.
Some registrars hold domain names long past their expiration dates.
The names are neither renewed nor released. But according to Rony, some registrars hold names in order to auction them off to recoup registration fees. A class-action lawsuit against registrar Network Solutions contends the company has been hoarding expired domain names. If you're determined to register a particular name, there are a number of strategies you can employ. Contact the registrant.