advice Looking for a ccTLD for my main Market

[zotix]

Hey all,
im looking for a ccTLD, Germany: ".de", which is currently not developed but parked at a German Domain Registrar.
The main German Domain Registrar, DENIC, does not provide information about the holder—the same goes for the registrar and WHOIS.

I am currently in the process (with lawyer) to register this Name as LLC (German Version: GmbH); and already have 15+ extensions running on my Name, especially the Main target Markets & most important: The .com Domain.

The domain has been parked at this registrar since 2021 and has not been developed.

According to my Business Case, I have covered the first Target Markets to penetrate. Nevertheless, Germany is a crucial part of it.
What options do I have?

My Lawyer said that branding this Name & especially within Europe should be easy since this Name is unique. Still, this German TLD is somehow "annoying" not to have.
From a strategic point of view, I can't tell the name or the niche.
Hope you understand my concerns.

Thankful for any support!

BR
zotix

 

[BaileyUK]

It sounds to me that you don't really have any options at the moment. Naming a business/company does not give you any rights to a registered domain. I can understand your keenness to acquire the name. Does the registration service offer any aftermarket services, If so they may also offer a brokerage service for a set fee. Failing that, I would seek out a German domain registration service that does offer brokerage.

It's likely the registrant may play hard-ball if they are aware of all your current registered extensions. Obviously if you trademark the name, that will give you protection going forward. but, only in your chosen classes.

 

[zotix]

Thanks for your response!
DENIC is not providing any information; the Domain has been somehow parked or registered for a few years—there is no information about the owner.
Maybe it's the registrar.

But I mean, branding this name would be a disadvantage.
I could operate without this ccTLD, but having the complete set is more convenient.
Since I have the Domains for all markets, As I said, 15+ TLDs

The Name is unique.

 

[dirk]

DENic hides ownership. Though to get info. Try www.archive and if you can find them give the owner a decent offer if its of any importance to you.

 

[zotix]

Thanks, dirk!
Unfortunately, this domain has been parked on several German registrars for a long time and has never been developed.
What do you think is the probability of branding this Name European-wide and getting the Domain with the help of my lawyer?
I mean I can ask him tomorrow, but don't know what the chances are.

 

[BaileyUK]

Zotix, It's well worth reading the outcome of this attempted claim for a pre-registered domain. (Posted on NP today 16th July) to understand why your type of approach rarely if ever works. The length of time of the earlier registration rarely matters
I'm just trying to save you legal-fees for an unwinnable case . .de or .com

https://www.namepros.com/threads/pa...ely-knew-case-bound-to-fail-vol-4-28.1330513/

 

[dirk]

What do you think is the probability of branding this Name European-wide and getting the Domain with the help of my lawyer?

Zero chance.

 

[zotix]

Zotix, It's well worth reading the outcome of this attempted claim for a pre-registered domain. (Posted on NP today 16th July) to understand why your type of approach rarely if ever works. The length of time of the earlier registration rarely matters
I'm just trying to save you legal-fees for an unwinnable case . .de or .com

https://www.namepros.com/threads/pa...ely-knew-case-bound-to-fail-vol-4-28.1330513/

Thank you, my dear; you know at least my motivation to spend money on lawsuits

I will have a look.

@dirk : Got it - I think you are from Germany, too. At least, it's a rough assumption.
So, is there zero chance of getting a domain that was never developed? Parked around all the Registars from 1&1, Strato, you name it.

But on the other hand, it should not be an issue to reg. for the Brand European wide, at least from the opinion of my IP/TM Lawyer.
Its unique, a blended word - literally all TLDs which are important + ccTLDs for the specific markets are regged on me, and on the first check (my own), there is no Name nor similar Name in the Nizza Classes.

But Strato, to call them by their Name is a remarkable thing; customer support is outsourced in Albania; the way they talk to customers (personal opinion), is something I quoted multiple times - canceled the contract 3 Months ago, have my confirmation, still charging me - sending 30€ invoices to debt collection, once for an invoice I have paid (proof) & the other ones which are not valid, even because they canceled all my Domains, restricted my Account.
But nvm: Dear COO from this company already got a Mail + DM on LinkedIn.

I moved to Hostinger with no headache at all.

(Just my personal experience & opinion, IONIS Group could and might be the best provider in Germany ) )

KR
zotix

 

[dirk]

Thank you, my dear; you know at least my motivation to spend money on lawsuits

I will have a look.

@dirk : Got it - I think you are from Germany, too. At least, it's a rough assumption.
So, is there zero chance of getting a domain that was never developed? Parked around all the Registars from 1&1, Strato, you name it.

But on the other hand, it should not be an issue to reg. for the Brand European wide, at least from the opinion of my IP/TM Lawyer.
Its unique, a blended word - literally all TLDs which are important + ccTLDs for the specific markets are regged on me, and on the first check (my own), there is no Name nor similar Name in the Nizza Classes.

But Strato, to call them by their Name is a remarkable thing; customer support is outsourced in Albania; the way they talk to customers (personal opinion), is something I quoted multiple times - canceled the contract 3 Months ago, have my confirmation, still charging me - sending 30€ invoices to debt collection, once for an invoice I have paid (proof) & the other ones which are not valid, even because they canceled all my Domains, restricted my Account.
But nvm: Dear COO from this company already got a Mail + DM on LinkedIn.

I moved to Hostinger with no headache at all.

(Just my personal experience & opinion, IONIS Group could and might be the best provider in Germany ) )

KR
zotix

Dutch actually but close enough

I do spend a lot of time in Germany, work for German companies and own a portfolio of .de domains though.

Obviously ICANN has no say over ccTLDs but generally speaking they work the same. Any legal action is doomed to fail. Your only chance is to find the owner and convince them to sell.

Whoever got there first has the legitimate right to the domain (rule of thumb).

Besides, the domain not being used might not even be the case. Just because it resolves to a default lander doesn't mean the email is not in use for example.

Not sure how important the domain is to your business but for the German market it would be a huge advantage to own it. However, since the emd is not in use, you might consider using an alternate .de domain including the brand, it wouldn't be much confusing.

Also keep in mind, in Germany they don't care much for short and clean domains. You could do well with this-is-my-solid-business-domain.de. exaggerating a bit but you get the gist.

 

[zotix]

Dutch actually but close enough

I do spend a lot of time in Germany, work for German companies and own a portfolio of .de domains though.

Obviously ICANN has no say over ccTLDs but generally speaking they work the same. Any legal action is doomed to fail. Your only chance is to find the owner and convince them to sell.

Whoever got there first has the legitimate right to the domain (rule of thumb).

Besides, the domain not being used might not even be the case. Just because it resolves to a default lander doesn't mean the email is not in use for example.

Not sure how important the domain is to your business but for the German market it would be a huge advantage to own it. However, since the emd is not in use, you might consider using an alternate .de domain including the brand, it wouldn't be much confusing.

Also keep in mind, in Germany they don't care much for short and clean domains. You could do well with this-is-my-solid-business-domain.de. exaggerating a bit but you get the gist.

Plain vanilla:
You are a genius :D
First of all, thanks for your support, as well as to @BaileyUK

Also keep in mind, in Germany they don't care much for short and clean domains. You could do well with this-is-my-solid-business-domain.de. exaggerating a bit but you get the gist.

I was so focused on the Brand Name that I did not consider simply changing the Domain Name for the German TLD.
I already have the brand name ".shop" TLD, but as you know, it's probably not that reliable in Germany.
Then I will instead go with "Brandname-[e.g., Photography, Events, Music, Shop,...].de", which might also help with SEO.
Additionally, I will reg. "Brand name-Germany or Deutschland.de"

I have captured all the other European markets, NL, CH, AT, SE, (UK), which are relevant to my Business Model.

I just thought about ".com.de," but that's also strange. Your idea is the best solution now. Thanks!
Easy.

Kind regards,
zotix

 

[BaileyUK]

Also keep in mind, in Germany they don't care much for short and clean domains. You could do well with this-is-my-solid-business-domain.de. exaggerating a bit but you get the gist.

Indeed, this has also become more of a habit in Britain. Heritage and trade have become the norm rather than short and sweet. I can only see it continuing making it more difficult to sell the catchy alternatives for a premium.

 

[Name2go]

Sorry old thread. Edited and deleted.