When a massive domain such as Software.net expires and drops, it’s a shocking reminder that domains must be renewed annually. Missing that little function can cost you the domain’s lifeline.
Registered in 1994, Software.net is one of the earliest domain registrations that made it to 30 years—only to lose its September 1, 1994 birthday.
DropCatch caught the domain and the new birthday, July 7, 2025, does not seem to matter much. The “software” keyword is ultra-generic and sits on a legacy TLD that amplifies its importance.
The three day auction at DropCatch attracted many domain investors, among which is Braden Pollock. Braden’s DropCatch handle, “LegalBrand”, is a reminder that the popular domain investor and entrepreneur is an active bidder who loves superior .net domain names.
Currently, the Software.net auction stands at $47,500 dollars with approximately 20 hours left. Braden Pollock’s highest bid was at $15,006 dollars. We want to believe that he will be increasing his bid; after all, Braden’s pockets have been lined with gold from that $1.5 million dollar sale of Sword.com.
Regardless of who wins the domain Software.net at the auction, one wonders who was the unlucky registrant that failed to renew it at Amazon’s domain registrar where it was transferred in 2020.
According to historic WHOIS information courtesy of DomainTools, the domain was in the possession of Digital River, an American e-commerce and payments services company founded in 1994 by Joel Ronning.
Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Digital River pioneered the “merchant of record” model, handling payments, taxes, global compliance, fraud protection, software delivery, and marketing for companies selling online.
Unfortunately, the company began insolvency proceedings in January and shuttered operations, laying off 122 employees in the US. In May, it filed for Chapter 7, thus dissolving.
RIP Digital River, RIP Software.net.
We’ll report on the final auction bid for the domain Software.net once it completes.
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