poll Opinion: Is it immoral to sell Coronavirus related domains & websites?

[frostify]

Just looking for open candid feedback as to whether you think it's okay or not to sell Coronavirus related domain names, websites, apps, and other related digital assets.

My personal take on it is that I myself will not be buying/selling anything with the word "coronavirus" or "covid" in it or work on anything related to Coronavirus but at the same time I'm not going to put down or shame anyone else in the domain community who does decide to attempt to profit from it.

I think it is better morally not to do so, but I don't think registering a domain name is nearly as bad as say hoarding essential supplies (physical products) that people need to survive. People can live if you register a bunch of domains, people cannot live if you hoard physical products like water, food, medicine, etc.

Waiting to hear from you guys about this issue.

 

[Ostrados]

In current critical circumstances domain investors should donate to the community by not registering these domains , maybe others can register them and save lives.

My humble simple opinion on this subject.

 

[Doron Vermaat]

I don't feel it's immoral perse but don't be surprised if people will call you names if you do outbound on such names during these turbulent times. A more important question is if there's any demand for these types of domain names?

I think you can be more successful (and get less slack) by selling domain names related to remote work and wfh (work from home) and similar, trending topics.

 

[namesprout]

Sale in progress:
virushub.com
sedo
$988

hand reg 1/1/2020 for $8.5

 

[barybadrinath]

I booked coronavirusprecautionarymeasure(s).com to launch an educational website for the same but don't how to proceed with it.

 

[frank-germany]

I booked coronavirusprecautionarymeasure(s).com to launch an educational website for the same but don't how to proceed with it.

simple:
don't do it
and drop the name

 

[cooljub]

simple:
don't do it
and drop the name

Should Google drop theirs?

Google launches Coronavirus website

 

[Anne L.]

If you are offering EMD Coronavirus Solutions Domains/websites, you will be helping out those searching for the products/services that they need online since Exact Match Domains (EMDs) help boost Search Engine Results Positioning.

EMDs help both:
(1)the website owner offering CoViD-19 solutions position their sites
and
(2) those looking for these Coronavirus remedies find what they need.

 

[TCK]

Should Google drop theirs?

Google launches Coronavirus website

As far as I understand they launched a site on their existing domain https://www.google.com/covid19/

 

[poweredbyme]

It is immoral.

Assume a virus related domain or website is needed to be purchased urgently by a national or international health organization for public health reasons and the owner does not sell it in order to sell it for higher at an unknown later date.

This would potentially end up with outlawing domaining completely.

 

[Lox]

Just looking for open candid feedback as to whether you think it's okay or not to sell Coronavirus related domain names, websites, apps, and other related digital assets.

My personal take on it is that I myself will not be buying/selling anything with the word "coronavirus" or "covid" in it or work on anything related to Coronavirus but at the same time I'm not going to put down or shame anyone else in the domain community who does decide to attempt to profit from it.

I think it is better morally not to do so, but I don't think registering a domain name is nearly as bad as say hoarding essential supplies (physical products) that people need to survive. People can live if you register a bunch of domains, people cannot live if you hoard physical products like water, food, medicine, etc.

Waiting to hear from you guys about this issue.

Let the domain do the work ... list @ AN etc. and instead of parking, redirect to
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Contribute

 

[Corey]

No, they're just digital assets and aren't hurting anyone.

Cheers
Corey

 

[h2o]

I currently have an ebay listing for a bulk list of 15 Coronavirus legal domains (VirusLegalHelp.com is included) and 20% of proceeds are going to the American Red Cross.) This way I can continue to do business as usual while also doing a little good. PM me for more info about the names.

 

[frostify]

I currently have an ebay listing for a bulk list of 15 Coronavirus legal domains (VirusLegalHelp.com is included) and 20% of proceeds are going to the American Red Cross.) This way I can continue to do business as usual while also doing a little good. PM me for more info about the names.

At least some is going to charity whether people agree with you or not

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

When talking about the morality of selling coronavirus domains we must first talk about the morality of selling domains with the keywords below. (domans registered with such keywords attached.)

1. Rape 3,139 domain names
2. Child Abuse 350 domain names
3. Molested 37 domain names
4. Cancer 25,258 domain names
5. Death 17,985 domain names
6. Asbestos 6,488 domain names
7. accident 15,994 domain names
8. Injury 11,699 domain names
9. Malpractice 1,294 domain names
10. hate 9,782 domain names
11. racism 602 domain names
12. nazi 3,918 domain names
13. poison 4,606 domain names
14. flu 72,986 domain names
15. Swine flu 211 domain names
16. hiv 19,449 domain names
17. aids 3,718 domain names
18. suicide 3,364 domain names
19. sexual harassment 404 domain names
20. pain 93,639 domain names
21. diabetes 19,728 domain names
22. abuse 2,798 domain names
23. Drug 37,888 domain names
24. heroin 2,728 domain names
25. cocaine 1,653 domain names
26. ebola 6,168 domain names
27. sars 2,175 domain names
28. Murder 4,894 domain names
29. crime 12,476 domain names
30. debt 28,117 domain names Debt causes misery
31. Genocide 437 domain names
32. Leprosy 140 domain names
33. War 184,102 domain names War causes misery
34. Guns 13,773 domain names
35. Virus (short for Coronavirus) 19,779 domain names
36. x** 53,102 domain names
37. Ad*lt 52,269 domain names
38. P*rn 92,000 domain names
39. herpes 2,530 domain names
40. Trump 48,647 domain names
41. Satan 3,854 domain names
42. Smoking 9,542 domain names
43. Vape 32,973 domain names
44. Smoke 31,656 domain names
45. vaping 3,666 domain names
46. slave 4,479 domain names
47. jav 56,017 domain names ( yes I know many can be longer than just JAV but you get it)
48. an*l 47,275 domain names
49. b*sm 6,465 domain names
50. Kill 39,118 domain names
51. Bet 381,149 domain names (gambling causes misery because people get addicted and start to bet beyond their means and go broke and end up homeless or worse.)
52. Casino 71,491 domain names (same as above)
53. Gambling 6,897 domain names (same as above)
54. Coronavirus 7,031 domain names
55. Corona 25,602 domain names
56. Covid 7,794 domain names
57. covid19 3,374 domain names

If you are looking for opinions. Each domain registration above is a "silent" unspoken opinion.

For the registration of domains like Covid and Coronavirus.

This thread currently has 62 posts. assuming all of those are against the registration of coronavirus domains.

Count the numbers above and that's the number of people FOR the registration of domains like coronavirus.

 

[Namesolve]

On twitter, attorney John Berryhill has been calling out a person for filing a trademark application on ‘Covid-19 Vax’ and registering related domains.

 

[jideofor]

I wouldn't sell such domain name. I would register and build a website on it to pass information around the world because that is what the world needs right now!

Imagine if you were in there battling with your life as doctors are dying to save you and you know some people are profiting from your condition, how would you feel?

 

[legendarynames]

I wouldn't sell such domain name. I would register and build a website on it to pass information around the world because that is what the world needs right now!

Imagine if you were in there battling with your life as doctors are dying to save you and you know some people are profiting from your condition, how would you feel?

In my opinion, it's a bit of a stretch to say that someone selling a coronavirus-related name is profiting from the actual condition of an individual who is sick with COVID-19 in an ICU.

There are many businesses that profit during a crisis, directly or indirectly. Domino's pizza is thriving right now, should they be ashamed of their extra profit?

While greed is condemnable, and much more so in a time when solidarity is essential, some people will find opportunities during a crisis, and you shouldn't outright dismiss them as immoral if they aren't harming anyone.

That's not to say that donating a domain to an NGO, or building yourself a website to pass on helpful information, isn't altruistic. The key is knowing that not being altruistic isn't the same as being immoral.

 

[Picorio]

Every Day Your :

Doctor hopes you Get sick and Hopes you Get Well too
Mechanic hopes your Car breaks down and Hopes you get it fixed too
Lawyer hopes you're Into some legal trouble and Hopes he can get you out of it too
Farmer hopes you Get hungry and you buy his food too

WHY? ( You already know the answer )

I could add Stocks and bitcoin and who is holding whos' bag at the end of the trading day, but hopefully you catch my drift by now...

MAYBE Some "domainers" Hope someone buys their names, so that They can Feed themselves and their family, MAYBE some see opportunity and can conduct business without emotions. Not all are out to "Make a Quick Buck".

Capitalizing on situation grave or not, still produces results, and those results can be positive for those whom choose to do so. No one should belittle anyone whom trys to fairly and within the rules of the law better themselves, financially or otherwise.

I hope some people can stop being Snowflakes and understand that Capitalism will always be key and essential. Capitalism will build the economy back up.

MAYBE...in this thread and others, people are shaming others, all the while knowing d@mn well IF ANY OF you had the name Godaddy got from the Uni deal sitting in your account all these years....NONE of you would be giving it up freely in the name of "good cause" no matter how self righteous you claim to be, as If your non-"sinful" perfect self would just toss away thee all elusive fortune every domainer dreams of. Honestly, Shame on those "New" &old" shaming others for trying to capitalize on what another person see as a "opportunity". WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE? I also think in times like this, if ANYONE has an idea, to keep money coming, flowing, more power to them.

It is quite Ironic and humorous to see some people scolding people for trying to make a profit on Corona Names.....yet Find themselves Morally at ease, Selling some "poor chap" his expired name back for 20-100x marked up..........Judge, Jury, & Executioner when it's fitting right?

If someones being reasonable & within the lines of the law legally and trying to make a profit....NO ONE should be knocking No ones hustle!

Leave your emotions in your diary. NOT in your B.o.b ( Book of Business )

( I do wish Peace and Health too all and hope everyone stays safe regardless of your position)

Amen. Well said @DomainBarracksRob!
You know what is the funny thing about all of this? I guarantee you that most of the people siding against some one registering Coronavirus related domain for profit, have at some point "during this Pandemic outbreak " search for Coronavirus domains to find out they are all taken
Please ask whomever is against people registering these domains what they would do if they happen to see that for instance the name CORONAVIRUS.COM is available for registration?
You and me already know the answer: they would RUSH to register such domain OF COURSE!!! Wouldn't they? Please don't tell me you would register such domain to then donate it! As domain investors, we know this business doesn't run on charity!!!

Even better, please ask Amazon or Walmart just to mention a few, if they have or will donate the money they earn from the huge sales they made for the Coronavirus supplies demand they had/ are having? Some of them even increased the prices like some Pharmacies in my area that were selling RUBBING ALCOHOL of 16 fl oz. at $4.69 when it usually costs between $2.09 and $ 2.49. Do you guys see what I'm talking about?

 

[Picorio]

When talking about the morality of selling coronavirus domains we must first talk about the morality of selling domains with the keywords below. (domans registered with such keywords attached.)

1. Rape 3,139 domain names
2. Child Abuse 350 domain names
3. Molested 37 domain names
4. Cancer 25,258 domain names
5. Death 17,985 domain names
6. Asbestos 6,488 domain names
7. accident 15,994 domain names
8. Injury 11,699 domain names
9. Malpractice 1,294 domain names
10. hate 9,782 domain names
11. racism 602 domain names
12. nazi 3,918 domain names
13. poison 4,606 domain names
14. flu 72,986 domain names
15. Swine flu 211 domain names
16. hiv 19,449 domain names
17. aids 3,718 domain names
18. suicide 3,364 domain names
19. sexual harassment 404 domain names
20. pain 93,639 domain names
21. diabetes 19,728 domain names
22. abuse 2,798 domain names
23. Drug 37,888 domain names
24. heroin 2,728 domain names
25. cocaine 1,653 domain names
26. ebola 6,168 domain names
27. sars 2,175 domain names
28. Murder 4,894 domain names
29. crime 12,476 domain names
30. debt 28,117 domain names Debt causes misery
31. Genocide 437 domain names
32. Leprosy 140 domain names
33. War 184,102 domain names War causes misery
34. Guns 13,773 domain names
35. Virus (short for Coronavirus) 19,779 domain names
36. x** 53,102 domain names
37. Ad*lt 52,269 domain names
38. P*rn 92,000 domain names
39. herpes 2,530 domain names
40. Trump 48,647 domain names
41. Satan 3,854 domain names
42. Smoking 9,542 domain names
43. Vape 32,973 domain names
44. Smoke 31,656 domain names
45. vaping 3,666 domain names
46. slave 4,479 domain names
47. jav 56,017 domain names ( yes I know many can be longer than just JAV but you get it)
48. an*l 47,275 domain names
49. b*sm 6,465 domain names
50. Kill 39,118 domain names
51. Bet 381,149 domain names (gambling causes misery because people get addicted and start to bet beyond their means and go broke and end up homeless or worse.)
52. Casino 71,491 domain names (same as above)
53. Gambling 6,897 domain names (same as above)
54. Coronavirus 7,031 domain names
55. Corona 25,602 domain names
56. Covid 7,794 domain names
57. covid19 3,374 domain names

If you are looking for opinions. Each domain registration above is a "silent" unspoken opinion.

For the registration of domains like Covid and Coronavirus.

This thread currently has 62 posts. assuming all of those are against the registration of coronavirus domains.

Count the numbers above and that's the number of people FOR the registration of domains like coronavirus.

@WhoaDomain.com wow you just hit the nail on the head. No need to say no more! Thank you for the thoughtful research!

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

On twitter, attorney John Berryhill has been calling out a person for filing a trademark application on ‘Covid-19 Vax’ and registering related domains.

I've seen that sort of thing while checking out Wipo and uspto. Do people really register trademarks just to sell it down the road?

are they even in the business of making vaccines? or just a domainer?

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

No, they're just digital assets and aren't hurting anyone.

Cheers
Corey

agreed. but if they go the extra mile and start flat out selling masks or hand sanitizers and that's it they have no one else to blame.


I'm really convinced now more than ever that the only safe option these days for these things are affiliate programs.

Don't dare like buy a pallet of hand sanitizers or masks or bleach and even think you can just set up shop and sell this things.

There are already well established online stores that no one would bat an eye at for selling masks and hand sanitizers like Walgreens, Walmart, Target even Aliexpress and amazon.

just have useful helpful content FIRST. and ads second.

 

[Lox]

....domans registered with such keywords attached.
54. Coronavirus 7,031 domain names
55. Corona 25,602 domain names
56. Covid 7,794 domain names
57. covid19 3,374 domain names

The current numbers are much bigger - over 250k (incl. cctlds, ngtlds)
AoT., used to spam/scam/phish etc - nearly 200k (+ they are utilizing free domains s.a .tk)

morals vs ethics ...

Regards

 

[jideofor]

In my opinion, it's a bit of a stretch to say that someone selling a coronavirus-related name is profiting from the actual condition of an individual who is sick with COVID-19 in an ICU.

There are many businesses that profit during a crisis, directly or indirectly. Domino's pizza is thriving right now, should they be ashamed of their extra profit?

While greed is condemnable, and much more so in a time when solidarity is essential, some people will find opportunities during a crisis, and you shouldn't outright dismiss them as immoral if they aren't harming anyone.

That's not to say that donating a domain to an NGO, or building yourself a website to pass on helpful information, isn't altruistic. The key is knowing that not being altruistic isn't the same as being immoral.

I move by my conscience... and I like to picture myself in situations before I act.

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

The current numbers are much bigger - over 250k (incl. cctlds, ngtlds)
AoT., used to spam/scam/phish etc - nearly 200k (+ they are utilizing free domains s.a .tk)

morals vs ethics ...

Regards

I did not know that. what tool do you use to get that? I guess mine isn't so accurate.

I think you've just brought out a tiny detail that actually opens the door to an idea that few are thinking of right now.

there seems to be this automatic perception now that EVERY coronavirus domain registration IF NOT OWNED by some government agency or some legit store like walmart or Target then it HAS to be immoral or unethetical.

I've never been one to generalize or at least I try to pay attention and catch it as I do it. But isn't it generalizing to say that ALL coronavirus domains HAS to be immoral or unethical?

I am not denying there are some scammy domain registrations out there.

In fact, I recently posted on here how I got scammed of $$$$ for a box of N95 masks. why? because of a "legit" looking mask domain. I have no one else to blame but myself and I'm supposed to be an "expert". How much more with novices? Imagine all the people being scammed right now because of their panic?

I'll even take it further to say that DOMAINERS should quit bickering about coronavirus domain registrations.

and based on the facts you just told me here.

(Man oh man I'm going to get really chewed out for this) but as Domainers and as experts in finding every permutation of a keyword that can trick or fool an unsuspecting coronavirus panicked person.

We as a community SHOULD register coronavirus domains BECAUSE scammers ARE registering these domains.

Do we really want these powerful keyword domains in the hands of scammers who want to use it to trick people and take advantage of them?

I'll even go so far as to say. every good coronavirus domain out there a domainer should grab because at least WE know WE won't use it for bad things.

Isn't that (instead of the typical narrative that registering coronavirus domains unethical and immoral) more noble a cause?

I mean you just said. Scammers are registering coronavirus domains to scam.

We are domainers. We are not scammers. We have better morals. isn't it our duty to protect the public? I know it's crazy but does it make sense maybe to register these domains BECAUSE bad people (not us) are registering these domains because they are "out there" and because domainers are shaming other domainers for registering them?

If this is the case the bad guys win don't they? Yea sure we lose money but at least we have our morals right?

people talk talk about how immoral this is and that is. but ask people to put their money on their opinions and everyone goes silent.

 

[Lox]

World Wide Top Headlines

... Domain Investors around the world are unleashing the power of domain names to have a positive impact on the world-in-crisis. The domain investors community donates/redirects a 5000+ coronavirus related domain names to WHO.int . This gesture also contribute to the fight against cybercrime (explanation) etc ...

@WhoaDomain.com the above can happen ... only in our dreams, - yesterday.