Domain name intelligence company Zetetic published new research last week showing that domains bought and sold on the aftermarket are experiencing an average gain of 377%. This number is somewhat misleading because it is an average and not a median. The median resale was for an 83% return. The sample size was only 74 domains that were bought and resold, but this is still encouraging. The median domain was bought and resold within 8.8 months.

For more, see Zetetic’s web site.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing a case about a domain name critical of Rev. Jerry Falwell. A lower court decided that the domain Fallwell.com was basically trademark infringement.

Celebrities usually win rights to their domain names and variations thereof. But politicians do not–sites critical of politicians are generally considered free speech. I’d say the main issue in this case is whether Falwell is a celebrity or politician. He is certainly more a political advocate than a clebrity.

If the appeals court does not overturn the prior court’s ruling, it could have far reaching implications as politicans try to re-fight their cases.

Falwell foe fights to keep Web site

Sedo.com, a leading domain name aftermarket, sold over 1,000 domain names in April. This compares to 866 domains in March, and is indicative of booming domain name values. Sedo sold 1,016 domains for a total of $1,597,901, or an average of $1,555 per domain. I’m not a fan of averages because one domain can skew the results, but it’s always good to see numbers go up!

Innovations.com sold for $108,000 on Pool.com this week. Not only was this a huge domain sale, but keep in mind that this was an expiring domain! In other words, someone owned this 6-figure domain name and let it expire. Oops.

This week also saw the highest-ever reported domain sale for a .US domain–VOIP.us changed hands for $25,000! That will make people reevaluate their .US domain portfolios

Here are some other notable sales on DNJournal’s sales list, just released last night:
-Hirst.org $24,000 at Sedo - huge price for a .org!
-IToldYouSo.com $15,000 at Afternic - steep price for a 4 word domain, even if it’s a common phrase
-ECS.com $10,200 - what makes this one interesting isn’t just the low price for a 3-character.com, but that it was picked up at a bankruptcy auction. The buyer knew what he was doing, and went after a domain that others didn’t know was available.

I hate getting my cell phone bill each month. In addition to the price the phone company quoted me, they tack on regulatory charges, taxes, and other fees. It really adds up.

I’m afraid that domain name registrations might be headed in the same direction. It started with GoDaddy, which decided to advertise its domains for $8.95, but then tack on the $.25 ICANN-imposed tax on most registrations. Most other registrars simply include this cost in their advertised price. This might not seem like a big deal, but what happens when it’s taken to the next level? Heck, GoDaddy could advertise its domains for $2.95, and then tack on the $6.00 Verisign fee and $.25 ICANN fee!