BS said somewhere once that the current owner was holding it and wanted like 3 grand for it or something.
i could be wrong on the story. but badspot might have actually had it at one time, but it got stolen from him during re-registering. it just expired and he didn't get it back soon enough?
there are starfishs on the net that just watch for sites that are expiring soon that get any traffic at all, and attempt to steal it, then hold it ransom.