Here are today’s snippets about the domain name industry (and other stuff) that I hope you find interesting.
Why Do People Bother?
It never ceases to amaze me when I see people (that should know better) registering (or purchasing at auction) domains belonging to major brands.
Why do I get peed off about this? Because when this happens, responsible domain investors tend to get “tarred with the same brush”. Responsible domain investors simply don’t buy brand names – or purposely infringe on clear-cut intellectual property rights of others.
A couple of days ago, the domain youtube.net.au was promoted on the Netfleet drops, and a business promoting themselves as Melbourne’s #1 Digital Agency picked it up for $100 +/+. (I’m not going to give them a link here – you’ll have to check WhoIs yourselves!).
Nothing will happen about this until someone makes a complaint to auDA – or alternatively the solicitors for the “brand” take action.
When that happens, the domain will be deleted, and once again appear on the “drops”; and the whole process will start again. Dropcatchers are the only ones that benefit.
The irony (to me) is that if you register a misspelling of the domain name youtube.com.au, auDA will audit and then delete such a name under their misspelling policy. The following are such names on their list:
- youtbe.com.au
- youtubee.com.au
- youtue.com.au
- youube.com.au
- yundai.com.au
Footnote: Should Melbourne’s #1 Digital Agency have acquired this on behalf of the brand name involved, then I unreservedly apologise to them.
What’s Happening On The Drops
Only 11 contested domains on Netfleet – they won 9 / lost 2.
However, dollar values were reasonable. Highlights of the day were – yachtequipment.com.au for $500 +/+ (bid on Drop was $1); okka.com.au for $400 +/+ (no bid on Drop); and petbeds.com.au for $312 +/+ (bid on Drop was $1).
I was very pleased to pick up FitnessStudio.com.au on Netfleet for a reasonable price – and my bargain of the day was pqd.com.au for $1 on Drop (plus reg fees).
The Kiwis Are Trying To Upstage Us Again!
Great article by Elliot Silver about the recent sale of Kiwi.com for $US800k.
Given the friendly rivalry between the Aussies and Kiwis, I wonder what Aussie.com would sell for if it was for sale? 😉
I can think of a few contenders for the domain name – and I would imagine that a 7 figure sale would not be out of the question.
What do you think?
Motivational Quote Of The Day
“Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important…. They do not mean to do harm…. They are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.” – T.S. Eliot
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I hear you Ned. It is incredible what people will try to get away with.
Always remember that brands can be used for different goods and services and the reservation and use of a domain name that is identical (or similar) to a brand does not always mean that the use will be in bad faith or that it would otherwise infringe the brand owners rights.
We need to keep an open mind whilst still protecting the investment of brand owners.
There does come a point that a name is so famous that reservation and use on goods/services that are not related will result in confusion in the industry but again that depends on the goods or services.
There are not many .net.au’s on the list which correspond to the misspelt .com.au and it makes me question why.
Nicole
Thanks for the comment Nicole. Good points that you raise – particularly regarding lack of .net.au’s on misspelling list.
However, I don’t think anyone would have a leg to stand on when it comes to this particular domain name (whatever extension it was)!
I agree … this one is pushing it. Perhaps they could use it on Pharmaceuticals ? …but not pharmaceuticals that encourage compulsive shopping.