TDNAMers going after a TMed name right now...

[markfromslo]

I always find it interesting how people on tdnam.com go after names that have trademarks associated with them. At the moment, Mombo.com is already up to $500 and I checked and there is certainly a trademark for it. Sure, it's a great name but it's not worth risking that amount of money on it. But don't people first check the trademark records which is so easy to do?

In case you're interested in watching it, it ends at 4:00 pm PST today and the auction page is here.

I'd like to hear other opinions on this.

 

[Sam]

I have a gut feeling around 80% of all TM names are never sent a letter to demand return of ownership.

TM names = OVERHYPED by haters who claim any TM name is not worth risk

Domain name industry is all about risk.

 

[markfromslo]

I have a gut feeling around 80% of all TM names are never sent a letter to demand return of ownership.

TM names = OVERHYPED by haters who claim any TM name is not worth risk

Domain name industry is all about risk.

I would not say the domain name industry is all about risk. It does however, involve Calculated Risk, as in any business.

Let's say the name goes for close to $1,000, which is probably a good estimate. What is the value of the name without any TM problems? Of course it depends upon if just the right buyer steps up, but let's say if one held for 2-3 years he might be able to get $2-3 thousand for it.

BUT, the problem is most people who are willing to pay that much for a name will look at the trademark database first, and when they see there is a mark, they will likely lower their bid. In essense, there is a cap on the value.

Now, if the mark owner comes along and tries to take it, he might be willing to pay a few hundred for it just to avoid the hassle. Maybe more. Maybe.

So, one might spend up to a $1000 for a name with perhaps only a double or triple (that's a slim maybe), and a possibility of perhaps giving it to the mark owner for less than the $1,000.

My average gain is 1700 percent on my names I've sold. I would not risk $500 - $1,000 on only a possible double or triple.

I was going to bid on the name and was willing to go up to a couple hundred for it. but, I'd rather spend $2,000 on a similar name with no trademark attached to it. The risk-reward is much better.

And this name is a phonetic name, whose uniqueness is a big factor in it's value. If a trademark exists for it, it is no longer unique.

 

[cache]

if you buy a TM name for some quick traffic income, then it is OK. But if you want to keep it for long term for something big, then it is risky.