discuss Hypothetical: What if Selling Domains Became Illegal in the Future?

[Pusang Gala]

Let's engage in a bit of hypothetical (and hopefully never-realized!) speculation... Imagine a future scenario where, for whatever reason (and let's leave the "why" open for now to keep it broad), the act of selling domain names becomes illegal...
What do you think the immediate and long-term consequences of such a ban would be on:

-How would this impact the value of your portfolio?
-Would you still bother renewing?
-What would you do with your domains?
-What happens to registrars, marketplaces, brokers, and all the associated services?

This is purely a thought experiment, but it's interesting to consider the fundamental role buying and selling plays in our domain ecosystem...

 

[Sjpals]

It is against the TOC to sell instagram accounts, yet people still do. I reckon people would be the same with domains. They would still find a way.

-How would this impact the value of your portfolio? -Most of mine were bought for projects, not specifically to sell, but the ones that were bought to sell (eg the 4Ls), it would then, obviously decrease their value
-Would you still bother renewing? - yes, except the ones I bought to sell
-What would you do with your domains? - Use them
-What happens to registrars, marketplaces, brokers, and all the associated services? - They would have to 'legalise' it somehow or they would all be given a time to wind up by?

 

[MKA]

There's no incentive to push this initiative since the domain aftermarket is beneficial for almost everyone involved.

• For registries and registrars it means that more people are going to hold on to more .com domain that they don't use,
• for investors there's the prospect of profiting off valuable domain names, and
• for end-users it means that there are premium alternatives available (albeit at a cost).

Not to mention that problems with company acquisitions would become an issue.

Like @Sjpals said, a black market for it would likely develop.

-How would this impact the value of your portfolio?

It would significantly decrease the value of it, not doubt.

-Would you still bother renewing?

I'd renew the ones I really like, but I would definitely trim down my portfolio quite a bit.

-What would you do with your domains?

Redirect them all to my main site.

-What happens to registrars, marketplaces, brokers, and all the associated services?

Registrars would still be around. Marketplaces and brokers would die.

 

[DomainNature]

I would do this if it becomes like with (.ad) extension.
1. develop + redirect to main websites.
2. offer rental of domains to end users at cheap prices, if they can't buy them.
3. keep the best and drop the rest.

 

[DrJacoby]

@Pusang Gala What if breathing air became illegal. Leave the "why" open for now. Would you stop breathing?

 

[marijuanadomain]

Anything and any services are sellable

Tax Legalize Educate

Good for the economy