Company files patent on “virtual domain names”.
Weblo, a company that sells virtual property such as states, celebrities, and even domain names in a parallel universe, has filed a patent covering its so-called “virtual domain names”. The patent (pdf) was filed in 2007 and published today.
Of course, Weblo’s domain names don’t really work on the web. They are merely a page on the Weblo.com’s web site. Weblo describes its domain names as:
Weblo has opened a secondary domain name market inside the Weblo parallel universe. You can register any non-trademarked domain name at Weblo even if the real world domain name is taken outside of Weblo. Weblo domains often turn up in search engine results before real world Internet domains do. When you buy Weblo Domains, you get a website that you can build for each domain by adding pictures, videos, news and more. You can park your site or redirect it inside and outside of Weblo to drive traffic anywhere you want it to go.
To entice users to pay $1 per domain, the company teases visitors:
.com, .tv … Get the Best Domain Names of All-Time. Did you miss out on the Internet Boom the first time? Weblo has got you covered with your second chance to own any domain name – even if it’s owned outside of Weblo! Weblo lets you make money the same way real world domain owners do. It’s quick and easy so type the address of your favorite website now and become its owner. Don’t miss out a second time!
I recall someone adding domain names to Afternic a couple years ago that were really just “virtual” domains. They were later removed.
Given that Weblo.com uses Kontera to turn most of its sites into ads, I suspect the company is making more money getting unsuspecting visitors to click on ads than it is selling its virtual property.
jp says
These guys have been around for a while now. I ran across them first a few years ago. I don’t get it, but they must have made some money on something if they’ve kept it up this long.
Still, I don’t get it…
John Berryhill says
JP, you are not alone in not “getting” Weblo.