advice A large ISP in Singapore wants to purchase my domain name. Please advice

[paknet]

TLDR: A large ISP in Singapore wants to purchase my domain name. I have never sold a domain name before. I am in panic!

Hi everyone,

My friend works for a large ISP in Singapore (I am not disclosing the company name). Last month during a casual conversation, he told me about this new satellite product their company is about to launch in coming months. I was curious about the product name and upon hearing it, being a domain enthusiast, I quickly found the domain name for the product name was available (I am not disclosing the domain name either). It's a dictionary word but not common at all. So I quickly registered the domain name and built a relevant one page website that talks a few topics about the name (the technology itself). The .net is still available but I am afraid of registering it and be accused of cybersquatting their brand/product name and may end up losing both the .com and .net

Yesterday, I received an email from somebody within the company. The person asked if the domain were of any value to me and whether I will be willing to sell the domain name to them. To my surprise, from what I have heard, a company of this size would never approach somebody expressing interest of buying a domain name directly. In fact, they may hire a broker or a negotiator instead to make the deal for them.

First, I thought the email was either fake or a scam but upon investigating the headers of the email and other bits and pieces (I am an IT guy myself), the email is indeed genuine and came from within the company email servers. I also found the person who emailed me on LinkedIn and his profile does state that he is been working on the product (that is the domain name I own) from past eight months.

Here is the problem! I have NEVER EVER sold a domain name in my life. I have never ever listed any of my domain names on any of the domain marketplaces. I have literally ZERO experience in negotiating or closing a domain sale.

On top of that, I have NO CLUE of how much should I expect for this domain name. I know you be thinking how can we help if I don't disclose the domain name, but at this point, I seriously can't and don't want to. Given the size and magnitude of the company, I am intrigued to email them back and asking for a ridiculous amount but having no prior experience, I don't want to end this opportunity by my stupidity.

Please help. I am in a state of panic and disbelief!

 

[Jv1999]

obviously, offer a high ball amount given that you know the company is huge.

 

[karmaco]

I don’t understand the panic. You bought the name with the target in mind and here they are. Best to ask for more than you want but not so ridiculous it never sells. No way to advise properly without knowing the name.

 

[Grego85]

you already are kind of cybersquatting. Does your friend know you took insider information from him and are now trying to profit off his employer from it? They may not want to be your friend anymore.

 

[Jv1999]

you already are kind of cybersquatting. Does your friend know you took insider information from him and are now trying to profit off his employer from it? They may not want to be your friend anymore.

It's not cybersquatting if it's a legit dictionary word.

 

[wwwweb]

It's not cybersquatting if it's a legit dictionary word.

How did you register a dictionary word in recent times of generic value, is it a .sg extension?

 

[paknet]

you already are kind of cybersquatting. Does your friend know you took insider information from him and are now trying to profit off his employer from it? They may not want to be your friend anymore.

Not very insider information when the name is already mentioned on LinkedIn. Please read my post kind human.

 

[paknet]

How did you register a dictionary word in recent times of generic value, is it a .sg extension?

It is a .com and as I said, .net is still available. The name is not very common but still an English dictionary word. I have tonnes of English dictionary words that are still available on the .com scope. PM me and I may share a few.

 

[Grego85]

^ so you discovered the name from their linkedin page and not your friend who works there?

 

[Grego85]

It's not cybersquatting if it's a legit dictionary word.

thanks for the laugh

 

[wwwweb]

^ so you discovered the name from their linkedin page and not your friend who works there?

It doesn't seem like a one off incident:

https://www.namepros.com/threads/a-...lable-is-it-legal-ethical-to-buy-com.1177600/

 

[frank-germany]

TLDR: A large ISP in Singapore wants to purchase my domain name. I have never sold a domain name before. I am in panic!

Hi everyone,

My friend works for a large ISP in Singapore (I am not disclosing the company name). Last month during a casual conversation, he told me about this new satellite product their company is about to launch in coming months. I was curious about the product name and upon hearing it, being a domain enthusiast, I quickly found the domain name for the product name was available (I am not disclosing the domain name either). It's a dictionary word but not common at all. So I quickly registered the domain name and built a relevant one page website that talks a few topics about the name (the technology itself). The .net is still available but I am afraid of registering it and be accused of cybersquatting their brand/product name and may end up losing both the .com and .net

Yesterday, I received an email from somebody within the company. The person asked if the domain were of any value to me and whether I will be willing to sell the domain name to them. To my surprise, from what I have heard, a company of this size would never approach somebody expressing interest of buying a domain name directly. In fact, they may hire a broker or a negotiator instead to make the deal for them.

First, I thought the email was either fake or a scam but upon investigating the headers of the email and other bits and pieces (I am an IT guy myself), the email is indeed genuine and came from within the company email servers. I also found the person who emailed me on LinkedIn and his profile does state that he is been working on the product (that is the domain name I own) from past eight months.

Here is the problem! I have NEVER EVER sold a domain name in my life. I have never ever listed any of my domain names on any of the domain marketplaces. I have literally ZERO experience in negotiating or closing a domain sale.

On top of that, I have NO CLUE of how much should I expect for this domain name. I know you be thinking how can we help if I don't disclose the domain name, but at this point, I seriously can't and don't want to. Given the size and magnitude of the company, I am intrigued to email them back and asking for a ridiculous amount but having no prior experience, I don't want to end this opportunity by my stupidity.

Please help. I am in a state of panic and disbelief!

just let them know
its not for sale

 

[Ja Kai]

TLDR: A large ISP in Singapore wants to purchase my domain name. I have never sold a domain name before. I am in panic!

Hi everyone,

My friend works for a large ISP in Singapore (I am not disclosing the company name). Last month during a casual conversation, he told me about this new satellite product their company is about to launch in coming months. I was curious about the product name and upon hearing it, being a domain enthusiast, I quickly found the domain name for the product name was available (I am not disclosing the domain name either). It's a dictionary word but not common at all. So I quickly registered the domain name and built a relevant one page website that talks a few topics about the name (the technology itself). The .net is still available but I am afraid of registering it and be accused of cybersquatting their brand/product name and may end up losing both the .com and .net

Yesterday, I received an email from somebody within the company. The person asked if the domain were of any value to me and whether I will be willing to sell the domain name to them. To my surprise, from what I have heard, a company of this size would never approach somebody expressing interest of buying a domain name directly. In fact, they may hire a broker or a negotiator instead to make the deal for them.

First, I thought the email was either fake or a scam but upon investigating the headers of the email and other bits and pieces (I am an IT guy myself), the email is indeed genuine and came from within the company email servers. I also found the person who emailed me on LinkedIn and his profile does state that he is been working on the product (that is the domain name I own) from past eight months.

Here is the problem! I have NEVER EVER sold a domain name in my life. I have never ever listed any of my domain names on any of the domain marketplaces. I have literally ZERO experience in negotiating or closing a domain sale.

On top of that, I have NO CLUE of how much should I expect for this domain name. I know you be thinking how can we help if I don't disclose the domain name, but at this point, I seriously can't and don't want to. Given the size and magnitude of the company, I am intrigued to email them back and asking for a ridiculous amount but having no prior experience, I don't want to end this opportunity by my stupidity.

Please help. I am in a state of panic and disbelief!

Based on your previous postings, it appears your are a dishonorable domainer - the type who makes the rest of us look bad. Stop taking the perceived easy route and work hard trying to find niches like the rest of us.

 

[paknet]

It doesn't seem like a one off incident:

https://www.namepros.com/threads/a-...lable-is-it-legal-ethical-to-buy-com.1177600/

I forgot for a moment whether I was on reddit or namepros. Thanks for digging into my post history and posting here (quite unethical don't you think?). I am not going to lower myself to your level and try to win an argument with a total stranger over the internet. I let you win and celebrate the victory this time. And as of the UK post above, I did end up not registering the .com in the subject, which would be totally unethical and that I fully understand (PM me if you want a proof). Coming back to the topic of this domain name, I saw the opportunity and I availed it. No regrets. I am keeping it and will do whatever I feel with it.

 

[frank-germany]

Based on your previous postings, it appears your are a dishonorable domainer - the type who makes the rest of us look bad. Stop taking the perceived easy route and work hard trying to find niches like the rest of us.

so when you see a huge company using a name that they ignore to register
so now for how long would you think you need to wait until it's ok to register it?

for how long is it unethical to register it?

as you like the name..
and that company obviously doesn't want it as a .com

let me know: what's your timeframe?

or is it unethical forever?

they don't register it
you like it
now what?

 

[paknet]

Based on your previous postings, it appears your are a dishonorable domainer - the type who makes the rest of us look bad. Stop taking the perceived easy route and work hard trying to find niches like the rest of us.

Excuse me miss, first of all, your judgement about my practices based on one previous post don't bother me at all and my valuable time don't allow me to dig through your useless history. If I were a wrong doer, I wouldn't be asking people for ADVICE! Back to the UK company that you judged me by, I did not register the domain and it is still available up there for the grab! I need not to justify myself to you but since I am being accused of *you people make us look bad*, I do feel to answer a few of you ethical people around here. If you need a proof for the UK domain case, PM me and I will prove it to you.

 

[paknet]

so when you see a huge company using a name that they ignore to register
so now for how long would you think you need to wait until it's ok to register it?

for how long is it unethical to register it?

as you like the name..
and that company obviously doesn't want it as a .com

let me know: what's your timeframe?

or is it unethical forever?

they don't register it
you like it
now what?

Thank you!

 

[paknet]

so when you see a huge company using a name that they ignore to register
so now for how long would you think you need to wait until it's ok to register it?

for how long is it unethical to register it?

as you like the name..
and that company obviously doesn't want it as a .com

let me know: what's your timeframe?

or is it unethical forever?

they don't register it
you like it
now what?

Post a letter to the company mailing address with some flowers and chocolates. Tell them nicely that they have missed on registering the .com for their company. Perhaps, attach a $10 Gift Card from GoDaddy with the letter.

 

[Ja Kai]

The three prongs of the UDRP:

1) The domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the complainant has rights;
2) The registrant does not have any rights or legitimate interests in the domain name; and
3) The domain name has been registered and the domain name is being used in "bad faith".

You violated the last two....

When I register a name, I make sure I don't violate any of the three. I do not believe domaining (buying generic names to flip and make a profit) a violation of number 2.

And, perhaps you violated #1 - Is there a trademark for this name?

 

[frank-germany]

The three prongs of the UDRP:

1) The domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the complainant has rights;
2) The registrant does not have any rights or legitimate interests in the domain name; and
3) The domain name has been registered and the domain name is being used in "bad faith".

You violated the last two....

When I register a name, I make sure I don't violate any of the three. I do not believe domaining (buying generic names to flip and make a profit) a violation of number 2.

And, perhaps you violated #1 - Is there a trademark for this name?

a lot of "perhaps" in this post

maybe its a good idea
you don't spit on people
without thinking a little deeper upfront

 

[paknet]

The three prongs of the UDRP:

1) The domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the complainant has rights;
2) The registrant does not have any rights or legitimate interests in the domain name; and
3) The domain name has been registered and the domain name is being used in "bad faith".

You violated the last two....

When I register a name, I make sure I don't violate any of the three. I do not believe domaining (buying generic names to flip and make a profit) a violation of number 2.

And, perhaps you violated #1 - Is there a trademark for this name?

I am not your child and don't need to follow your footsteps. Thanks for the lessons though. I feel no need to reply to your ethical arguments, perhaps.

 

[Ja Kai]

a lot of "perhaps" in this post

maybe its a good idea
you don't spit on people
without thinking a little deeper upfront

Really, Frank?

In a UDRP proceeding, a panel will consider several non-exclusive factors to assess bad faith, such as:

1) Whether the registrant registered the domain name primarily for the purpose of selling, renting, or otherwise transferring the domain name registration to the complainant who is the owner of the trademark or service mark;

2) Whether the registrant registered the domain name to prevent the owner of the trademark or service mark from reflecting the mark in a corresponding domain name, if the domain name owner has engaged in a pattern of such conduct; and

3) Whether the registrant registered the domain name primarily for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor; or

4) Whether by using the domain name, the registrant has intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, internet users to the registrant's website, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the complainant's mark.

The reason the UDRP was created is exactly for these unethical domain registrations.

 

[Darren C]

All 3 points must me proven to take a domain name via UDRP ....not taking sides here ....also many domains that we buy to flip/sell or whatever you like to call it have an existing TM of some sort and as long as you don’t infringe upon the guidelines of the TM you are essentially not infringing upon it ...(note I’m not a lawyer) and some companies have many categories of TM in use for their name ....interesting you will find different companies with a TM on an identical name ....made possible by different categories of TM that can be applied for.

 

[frank-germany]

Post a letter to the company mailing address with some flowers and chocolates. Tell them nicely that they have missed on registering the .com for their company. Perhaps, attach a $10 Gift Card from GoDaddy with the letter.

I don't think you have done yourself a favor posting here

if its a dictionary word
and you had no intention to sell it to that company

but do something completely different with that domain
like: use it for personal fun
in a non-commercial manner

for example as an email address and with no webpage
to impress girls and/or friends

I would think you have a legit way of utilizing that name for yourself

but of course, that means no selling


I'm no lawyer
ask a lawyer
no legal advice

 

[frank-germany]

Really, Frank?

In a UDRP proceeding, a panel will consider several non-exclusive factors to assess bad faith, such as:

1) Whether the registrant registered the domain name primarily for the purpose of selling, renting, or otherwise transferring the domain name registration to the complainant who is the owner of the trademark or service mark;

2) Whether the registrant registered the domain name to prevent the owner of the trademark or service mark from reflecting the mark in a corresponding domain name, if the domain name owner has engaged in a pattern of such conduct; and

3) Whether the registrant registered the domain name primarily for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor; or

4) Whether by using the domain name, the registrant has intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, internet users to the registrant's website, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the complainant's mark.

The reason the UDRP was created is exactly for these unethical domain registrations.

yes, really.

there are so many TM 's
worldwide

I bet you "infringe" on some of them yourself