4 ms·

Yea, I've had the same thing happen to me with a name that I posted on Sedo :) For what it's worth, owning a domain and not developing it is not "domain squatt

by jwesley 17y ago

Yea, I've had the same thing happen to me with a name that I posted on Sedo :) For what it's worth, owning a domain and not developing it is not "domain squatting" which is defined by law as "registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatting There is nothing wrong with owning a domain and not developing it. It's the same as making a speculative investment, just like in real estate or any other asset. We all wish we were there in 1990 to scoop up the best names, but just because we weren't doesn't make the smart people who did unethical.

stevejalim 17y ago
Yes, you're right. It's just a bit frustrating as we approach a time when it seems like there'll be nowt left to register unless we cough up six figures for a .mycompany TLD Clearly, I'm not in the my most forgiving of moods, tho
graemep 17y ago
I do not think real estate, or other investments are a good example. They require paying market value, which means that only those who can genuinely find mis-pricing can make a consistent profit, and by doing that they improve market efficiency. Getting a domain through registrations does not do this, because it requires only registration not payment. For a better analogy, compare how easy it is with the requirements of the (US) <a href="http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/>Homestead http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/&#62... Act of 1863</a>. It required improving the land over a five year period and imposed a size limit. It is easy to imagine what would have happened without that requirement: a few people would have made vast claims, far beyond what they could develop.
- thorsview 17y ago
  Probably the best analogy you could make
breck 17y ago
I don't think the real estate analogy fits. You have to pay significant property taxes each year to own real estate(not just $6). I think a better analogy is registering a corporate name or trademark. If you don't use it, you lose it. You can't just register it and then prevent other people from using that name indefinitely unless they pay you off.

by jwesley 17y ago

stevejalim 17y ago

Yes, you're right. It's just a bit frustrating as we approach a time when it seems like there'll be nowt left to register unless we cough up six figures for a .mycompany TLD Clearly, I'm not in the my most forgiving of moods, tho

graemep 17y ago

I do not think real estate, or other investments are a good example. They require paying market value, which means that only those who can genuinely find mis-pricing can make a consistent profit, and by doing that they improve market efficiency. Getting a domain through registrations does not do this, because it requires only registration not payment. For a better analogy, compare how easy it is with the requirements of the (US) <a href="http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/>Homestead http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/&#62... Act of 1863</a>. It required improving the land over a five year period and imposed a size limit. It is easy to imagine what would have happened without that requirement: a few people would have made vast claims, far beyond what they could develop.

thorsview 17y ago
Probably the best analogy you could make

breck 17y ago

I don't think the real estate analogy fits. You have to pay significant property taxes each year to own real estate(not just $6). I think a better analogy is registering a corporate name or trademark. If you don't use it, you lose it. You can't just register it and then prevent other people from using that name indefinitely unless they pay you off.