DONUTS gTLD Pre-Reg Refunds and Auctions

Use the following information to answer your refund and auction questions for each pre-registration phase:

Trademark Holder (Sunrise)

Fees Collected: Registration Fee + Sunrise Application Fee

During this phase, you'll pre-register a domain with a valid SMD (signed mark data) file, downloaded from The Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH).

When you upload the SMD file, it must start at Marks: and end at END ENCODED SMD- - - - -.

When the application is submitted, we'll send it to the registry to validate the SMD file and complete the process. After the application is submitted, GoDaddy isn't involved until one person is awarded the domain name.

What happens when I get the domain I applied for?
After the domain registry verifies that you have a legitimate SMD file (to confirm your trademark), you'll receive an email confirming successful registration, and the domain name will be moved into your account.

What if multiple people apply for the same domain as me?
If multiple registrants with valid SМD files pre-register for the same domain name, then the registry will hold an auction and award the domain to the highest bidder, provided they have a legitimate SMD file.

If I win the auction, what do I do?
After you've won the auction, the domain registry will email you with instructions to complete the registration process.

The customer is alerted through email that they are going to a closed 7-day auction auction for a specific domain name they pre-registered. Once the auction closes, the top bidder is sent an email with instructions on how to pay for the auction, and then awarded the domain name after payment is received. If the customer is not the top bidder and the auction closes, they don't get the domain and they are refunded the registration fees.

What if I don't get the domain name I applied for?
If you are unable to secure the domain name, we'll refund the registration fee ONLY.

What if I get the domain I applied for, but don't want it anymore?
If you are awarded the domain name but decide to drop it, we'll refund the registration fee ONLY.

Can I cancel my application and get a refund?
If you cancel your application before the Trademark Holder phase ends, we'll refund BOTH the registration and application fee.
If you cancel your application after the Trademark Holder phase ends, we'll refund the registration fee ONLY.

What if someone has a trademark for the domain name I want to register?
You must also have a valid trademark, otherwise you won't be able to get the domain name.

If you have a valid trademark, you'll enter a bidding auction with the other trademark holder, hosted by the domain's registry (not us).

When will the domain name I won be available in my account?
As soon as the Trademark Holder phase closes, any auctions are completed and the registry confirms that you've won the domain name.

Priority Registration (Early Access)

Fees Collected: Registration Fee + Early Access Fee

During this phase, you'll pre-register a domain for one of the seven Early Access periods, and when the day you applied for concludes, we'll submit your application to the registry. GoDaddy competes with other registrars to get the domain name, which is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, if we submit our applications first, then GoDaddy wins the domain name. From there, we'll either award the domain to one person or hold an auction if multiple people apply for the same domain name.

What happens when I get the domain I applied for?
If you are awarded the domain name you applied for, you'll receive and email from us, notifying you that the registration was successful. After that, the domain will be in your account and manageable within 72 hours.

What if multiple people apply for the same domain as me?
There are three scenarios that can occur in this situation:

If you submit an Early Access application on Day Two or later, and someone else applies for the same domain name that you want on any day before you, there's a good chance you won't get the domain name. The best way to secure the domain name you want is to pre-register on Day One of Early Access.
If another person applies for the same domain you do on the same day of Early Access, and only one of you acknowledges trademark claims, the one who acknowledged claims will have the greatest chance being awarded the domain.
If another person applies for the same domain you do, and on the same day of Early Access, and both acknowledge any applicable trademark claims, you'll be invited to a seven-day closed bidding auction hosted by GoDaddy.

If I win the auction, what do I do?
If you win the seven-day closed auction, you'll be asked to pay the additional money you owe. After you pay, you'll receive the domain in your account within 72 hours.

What if I don't get the domain name I applied for?
If you are unable to secure the domain name, we'll refund BOTH the registration fee and the early access fee.

What if I get the domain I applied for, but don't want it anymore?
If you are awarded the domain name but decide to drop it, we'll refund the registration fee ONLY.

Can I cancel my application and get a refund?
If you cancel your application before Early Access begins, we'll refund BOTH the registration and application fee.
If you cancel your application on or after the day you submit your Early Access application (i.e. if you submit an application for Day Three of Early Access and cancel your application on Day Three or later), we'll refund the registration fee ONLY.

What if someone has a trademark for the domain name I want to register?
You must also have a valid trademark and apply for the domain during Trademark Holder registration, otherwise you won't be able to get the domain name.

When will the domain name I won be available in my account?
If you win the domain name, and after you've paid any additional auction fees, you'll receive the domain in your account within 72 hours.

General Availability

Fee Collected: Registration Fee Only

During this phase, you'll pre-register a domain so as soon as General Availability begins, your application will be submitted to the registry immediately. GoDaddy competes with other registrars to get the domain name, which is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, if we submit our applications first, then GoDaddy wins the domain name. From there, we'll either award the domain to one person or hold an auction if multiple people apply for the same domain name.

What happens when I get the domain I applied for?
If you are awarded the domain name you applied for, you'll receive an email from us notifying you that the registration was successful. After that, the domain will be in your account and manageable within 72 hours.

What if multiple people apply for the same domain as me?
There are two scenarios that can occur in this situation:

If you pre-register for a domain during General Availability, and someone else applies for the same domain name you want during Early Access or Trademark Holder registration, there's a good chance you won't get the domain name. The best way to secure the domain name you want is to pre-register on Day One of Early Access.
If another person pre-registers for the same domain you do during General Availability, you'll be invited to a seven-day closed bidding auction hosted by GoDaddy.

What if I don't get the domain name I applied for?
If you are unable to secure the domain name, we'll refund the registration fee.

What if I get the domain I applied for, but don't want it anymore?
If you are awarded the domain name but decide to drop it, we'll refund the registration fee if it's canceled and processed within five days of registration. For more information, check out our Refund policy.

Can I cancel my application and get a refund?
Yes. If you cancel your application, we'll refund the registration fee.