Even the government isn’t immune from web best practices. It goes to show that you need to have an active relationship with your domain provider, as a simple lapse in oversight can lead to devastating consequences.

On November 16, 2010 the website the Massachusetts appellate courts uses to post their opinions shut down because someone in the powers that be failed to renew their domain name “massreports.com” in a timely fashion. The site is live again, but who knows after what last minute deals that had to be made. It is entirely possible that an enterprising someone could have bought that domain for their own purposes, and made the courts pay for the right to use it again.

Moral of the story is make sure that you communicate your needs to your hosting company. They aren’t mind readers, and can only do what you let them.