Microsoft registered domains for its new Xbox Series X that include every letter of the alphabet.
At the end of last week, Microsoft announced the new Xbox Series X.
As is typical, the company also registered domain names related to the new console, including XboxseriesX.com.
Here’s what’s weird, though: the company registered the same domain and changed the series letter. 26 times. Times multiple domain extensions.
The company registered XboxseriesA.com, XboxseriesB.com, XboxseriesC.com, and so forth, all the way to XboxseriesZ.com.
It even registered these variations in other top level domains including .ca, .net, .fr, .com.br, .at, and even .microsoft. And more.
That’s 26 domains per top level domain, spanning many top level domains. That’s a lot of domains, and I can’t imagine it will do much good.
Observer says
Ridiculous brand protection efforts by Comlaude/MarkMonitor.
thelegendaryjp says
The more there is to “protect” and monitor the more they can charge MS. Makes perfect sense to me, either MS has a moron working for them or MS is the moron paying for that protection/monitoring.
H says
That is a bit harsh. Even with having exact matches registered, they have to file dozens (hundreds?) UDRP complaints per year. A lot of expenses anyway.
Btw, is there a volume discount with UDRP? Club card for regulars?
Observer says
Microsoft strategically profits on infringement of the trademarks by filing lawsuits instead of UDRPs:
https://www.domainstate.com/legal-business-amp-trademark-issues-22/microsoft-files-three-cybersquatting-cases-in-sept-81892.html
So if they feel like being reimbursed for any policing, they can just file a lawsuit instead and force the other party to pay about $50,000/domain which is half of the $100,000/domain award if they went all the way.
snoopy1267 says
The name is very confusing. The last Model was X Box One X and the next model is X Box X? What then is the X Box S? They have the similar issues that Nintendo had a few years ago with the Wii U (sounds like a slightly upgraded version of the Wii).
When I see these in the store it is very difficult to know if it is the latest model or or an old model. It shouldn’t take research to know if something is the latest or not.
Andrew Allemann says
I wrote a line in the article about this that I ended up deleting. It reminds of a computer company naming products. Which is what this is 🙂
Steve says
My friend’s little company (maybe 5 people)in coconut grove, miami, fl owned xbox.com and the filed XBOX trademark which Microsoft acquired in 2001 for an “undisclosed amount”. Talk about luck and timing.
Andrew Allemann says
Good grief, Microsoft has also registered XboxseriesA.sucks through z.sucks. Now that’s expensive!!
Observer says
It’s MarkMonitor who is doing this, right?
https://www.whois.com/whois/xbox.sucks shows as available so all of this .SUCKS stuff is futile.
Andrew Allemann says
I don’t think so. I think their clients actually do it.
Observer says
Then what good is MarkMonitor is they aren’t partnering with their client’s on their activities?
Maybe Microsoft should move all their domains to Namecheap if MarkMonitor isn’t adding any value.
Andrew Allemann says
I didn’t say they aren’t partnering. I just don’t think they register on their behalf. If nothing else, I’d expect Microsoft to sign off on the domains.
thelegendaryjp says
I may be harsh here but has anyone ever seen what domain monitors charge clients? The more domains the better…. for the monitoring company. Maybe someone who is in the know wishes to share pricing but I will refrain personally, it is a sweeeeet gig and totally unjustifiable for domainers like us.