This article stops short of actually explaining how to interpret the text output. I just did a lookup on a domain I'm interested in, and I think it's expired -- it's registered with Tucows and it shows two expiry dates (XX-Mar-2011 and XX-mar-2012). This is kinda fishy since I checked the day before it was set to expire (~2 weeks ago) and the output never said anything about 2012. My gut tells me Tucows has renewed it for their client (or slyly making it seem like it's renewed). So... can I grab it yet?
mcurving got most of this correct. Most large registrars will auto renew the domain on behalf of their customers as a "service." this gives you time to notice no email coming in and your domain/website not working. Most will allow you to renew for the regular renewal fee while others will up charge for the renewal. Then, if it doesn't get renewed, the registrar will auction the domain name if of high worth (links coming in, traffic, etc.). It then goes to the highest bidder. If no one bids, it gets deleted. Note: some registrars do not auction (very few).
I plan to update the article on DomainSherpa (http://doms.to/vra) soon with this information.
This is standard from what I understand. As it has been explained to me in the past, what happens is once the domain has passed expiration it is actually renewed automatically at the registry level,until or unless the registrar issues a command to delete it. Within 30 - 45 days from the expiry date the registrar will keep the domain in a 'grace period' where you can still renew it with them. If you do not renew during the registrar's specified grace period they will then issue a command to delete it from the registry and it will go into the next phase of the drop cycle, I myself have only ever noticed this happen on .org and .mobi domains, but I've been told it can also happen with .com and .net
