A shocking sale in a new top level domain name.
The domain name Autism.Rocks has sold for a staggering $100,000. And there may be a good reason this domain name sold for so much.
The new owner is listed as Sanjay Shah in Dubai. Shah started the charity Autism Rocks, which can be found online at AutismRocks.com. Shah’s young son has autism.
Based on news reports, Shah has been a very successful trader.
The seller is associated with another autism charity, We Rock for Autism. I talked to him today, and he said the very first offer the buyer made was $100,000, and it was outside of Sedo.
The seller then contacted Sedo to ask for help with the transaction. He says Sedo didn’t tell him there was an escrow option, so he ended up paying Sedo a 15% commission. He’s upset that he wasn’t aware of a 3% option, but says Sedo won’t reverse the fee. He’s hopeful Sedo will donate the 12% difference to autism charity.
Update: Sedo has responded about this issue.
To be clear: the $100,00 purchase wasn’t a direct donation. The seller said it will help his family out greatly, and a big portion of it will go toward charity.
(Thanks Joseph Peterson for initially pointing out the charity connection.)
A couple other new top level domain names, including 3d.software and DUI.attorney have sold for six figure sums.
I had my eye on this domain before it was released but it didn’t feel right to buy a domain with intentions to profit off a)a known non profit organization and b)an illness.
If I’m reading things correctly, then this was $100,000 diverted from helping people with autism and spent on brand protection for a preexisting website – brand protection that would have been unnecessary had ICANN not unleashed the new TLDs and which may have been unnecessary in any case.
I hope the domain adds value to the Autism Rocks program. While I’m sure the buyer can afford the purchase, this smacks too much of capitulating to cybersquatters for my taste.
Looks like I jumped the gun.
The prior owner of Autism.rocks appears to be another non-profit organization centered on autism, WeRockForAutism.org:
“We Rock for Autism is 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and acceptance for autism by promoting music, art, events, families and businesses that “rock” by supporting the cause. Our goal is to help children with autism receive music and art therapy, musical instruments or players, as well as communication devices. Our foundation is supported by your donations.”
So it seems that 1 well funded organization bought the domain from a sister organization. In that case, the $100,000 purchase price might be (in effect) a donation; and it would be spent on autism anyway.
Good catch, I’ve updated the story.
Confused, thought I read on another blog seller said money wasn’t donated and hos family could really use it?
I am right, a “portion” will be donated and he bought it separate from the charity. Why? lol Any ways if everyone is happy who cares. The buyer could give another $100k himself to his cause if he wished.
Danish police seize Hyde Park mansion from Sanjay Shah
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/03/danish-police-seize-hyde-park-mansion-from-sanjay-shah