Annoying - but I coped!
Fast forward to 2019 and they let it expire!
Now in reach (and being sure Canonical wouldn't sue me for buying it) I counted down the days 'til I could register it…
Only…
Someone else bought it before I could. Thankfully, they didn't use it for icky shiz, and instead set a redirect to the official Ubuntu website.
5 YEARS LATER…
The new owner left their job and, feeling it was no longer a conflict of interest to do so, got in touch to transfer the .com to me!