Network Solutions to Launch Domain Name Auction Service?
Monday, October 1st, 2007
Trademark creates suspicions about Network Solutions’ plans.
Network Solutions has applied for a trademark on “NameJet”. According to the application, filed on September 24, NameJet’s trademark class includes:
“On-line auction services; on-line auction services featuring domain names; on-line auction services for businesses, consumers, domain name holders; domain name registration and sales services; on-line bidding services featuring domain names; domain name backorder request services; on-line proxy bidding services”
Although it is not entirely clear what this represents, it’s possible that Network Solutions is creating an aftermarket domain auction, an expired domain auction, or both. If it’s the later, this will send shockwaves through the domain industry. Network Solutions currently auctions its expired domains through SnapNames, which was recently acquired by Oversee.net. I don’t know how long Network Solutions’ contract with SnapNames lasts, but Network Solutions may be betting that it can get enough bidders to NameJet to keep expired domain prices high without splitting its revenue with SnapNames.
Because legacy Network Solutions is the oldest registrar, it manages many of the best generic domain names.
But does Network Solutions own the NameJet.com domain name?
NameJet.com was originally registered in 2003. Until September 10, the domain was owned by A L Sisk of Lexington, TX, according to a DomainTools search. On September 15, the domain whois switched to a privacy protection service offered by eNom. It seems strange that Network Solutions would use a rival registrar to maintain the domain name, but perhaps it’s an elaborate attempt to hide its tracks? This would mean Network Solutions “endorses” eNom, which would be an interesting move.
NameJet.net and NameJet.org were registered on September 8, also at eNom. NameJet.us is not registered. .Us domain names cannot have whois privacy.
(Original information via Trademork)
Further Reading:
[...] You can read the rest of this blog post by going to the original source, here [...]
[...] Network Solutions to Launch Domain Name Auction Service? [...]
NameJet.com sold on Afternic for $600.
Offer was made on Sept 10 and accepted as shown here:
http://www.afternic.com/bidhist.php?id=703516
It didn’t seem to garner much attention among domainers, but Network Solutions was acquired earlier this year by a private equity firm in Connecticut. Perhaps the new owners (General Atlantic LLC) have their own plans for maximizing ROI on their $800M purchase. Switching to an in-house auction format could trim costs and maximize the profitability of aftermarket domain transactions.
If NSI believes they can do what Snapnames does, they are mistaken. SN/Oversee has the tech, the experience, the customers, and the great people which are a much tougher barrier to entry then they know.
Their best–and most profitable path–is to keep their relationship w/the SN/Oversee folks in place.
Steve, you may be right. But I’m sure NSI looked at the numbers and questioned why they are paying someone else to auction the names.
Looks like namejet.com is up.
[...] by Oversee.net, SnapNames lost key registrars Network Solutions and eNom. The two registrars formed a competing drop catcher called NameJet. The drop in premium inventory may be part of the reason [...]
[...] is it a start of something more? Trademark filings often tip off what companies are up to. It was a trademark filing that tipped me off that Network Solutions was starting an expired domain service called [...]