news Verisign Blog Calls Us All "Domain Scalpers"

[Bob Hawkes]

It appears that Verisign are feeling pretty secure now that they have their 6 year agreement with 4x7% price increases on .com and their stock popped up 18% today. In a blog post today Verisign say:

"Flipping domain names or warehousing them to create scarcity adds nothing to the industry and merely allows those engaged in this questionable practice to enrich themselves at the expense of consumers and businesses." - Verisign today​

Andrew has written an excellent column on it here, or you can read their blog post (I wonder if it will get revised?) here.

As Andrew points out:

Verisign has been catering to this market for years. Sponsoring its conferences, promoting domain investing, creating the very tools designed to let domain investors know which domains to register…and now it wants to pretend it has nothing to do with this “questionable practice”. C’mon.
​

This is almost unbelievable and I can't believe it will not anger many. At least for those of us who were trying to decide whether we call ourselves domainers (not a dictionary term),domain investors, domain service agents, domain experts, domain originators, etc. no longer need to worry about that. We are all scalpers according to Verisign.

Seriously, amazingly insensitive of Verisign.

Bob (grrrr... feeling angry )

ps I always try to find the bright side of everything. A good day for ngTLD and country code extensions I guess?

 

[creataweb]

@ Verisign

 

[wwwweb]

It appears that Verisign are feeling pretty secure now that they have their 6 year agreement with 4x7% price increases on .com and their stock popped up 18% today. In a blog post today Verisign say:

"Flipping domain names or warehousing them to create scarcity adds nothing to the industry and merely allows those engaged in this questionable practice to enrich themselves at the expense of consumers and businesses." - Verisign today​

Andrew has written an excellent column on it here, or you can read their blog post (I wonder if it will get revised?) here.

As Andrew points out:

Verisign has been catering to this market for years. Sponsoring its conferences, promoting domain investing, creating the very tools designed to let domain investors know which domains to register…and now it wants to pretend it has nothing to do with this “questionable practice”. C’mon.
​

This is almost unbelievable and I can't believe it will not anger many. At least for those of us who were trying to decide whether we call ourselves domainers (not a dictionary term),domain investors, domain service agents, domain experts, domain originators, etc. no longer need to worry about that. We are all scalpers according to Verisign.


Seriously, amazingly insensitive of Verisign.

Bob (grrrr... feeling angry )

ps I always try to find the bright side of everything. A good day for ngTLD and country code extensions I guess?

I guess Verisign is the biggest scalper of them all then. Very interesting how they got this agreement in place, without having to give up much.

 

[OptimaDomains]

Biting the hand that feeds them. Without the aftermarket, they would be making a lot less money. Maybe we should grant them their wish.

 

[wwwweb]

ICA's Corwin leaving to work for Verisign had all the earmarks of what was going on behind the scenes. How can one person question everything one organization does, only to join their payroll, and go silent against what they were so previously passionate about.

 

[DanSanchez]

Absolutely disgusting piece, every one of you should be commenting and sharing your thoughts on this attack piece by someone who willows in her own hypocrisy.

 

[bmugford]

Verisign can fuck off. They have a no-bid contract for something any number of companies would be willing and able to do far cheaper.

Special shout out to Phil Corwin from a member of the ICA. He sold out and joined Verisign. From an outspoken critic to working for them. Any good work he ever did for the ICA was washed away with that move. Pathetic.

Brad

 

[Bob Hawkes]

On the positive side, it is nice to find a topic that I think the vast majority of domain name investors can all agree about.

Trying to be positive, why don't we put together as a community a comprehensive, compelling argument about what we do add to the business and organization community. I am having trouble finding it, but I recall reading an eloquent post from @Kate some months ago on the topic on some thread.

So what do domainers do that is positive?

Bob

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Domain investors creatively come up with word combinations that are effective, original and valuable, and bring these combinations to the attention of those in branding, marketing, and management that could benefit from their acquisition.

Domain name investors make domain names available in an orderly way through marketplaces, brokers, company websites, and other means. Without domain name investors it would be much more difficult for companies or organizations that want a name to find it, and domain investors also efficiently make the variety of available alternatives obvious so the best business decisions can be made.

Domain investors have expertise in the value and importance of digital assets, the regulations surrounding domains, new trends and opportunities, etc.

My start to a list I hope many with long term expertise and involvement can improve and add to. What do we do of value?

Thanks,
Bob (not a scalper)

 

[bmugford]

What value does Versign add? Maybe they could justify their own business model.

They are given close to a billion a year to essentially manage a database.
Seems reasonable....

They are just the typical company benefiting from taxpayers with a no-bid contract; one that many other capable companies would be willing to do for far less.

Brad

 

[DanSanchez]

It's no surprise the person tasked with this "job" has very little clue what makes a good domain to begin with, how has she been employed at Versign for so long? I guess "coordinating global content marketing" with a major monopolist corporation doesn't involve the strategy of actually naming anything... Check out her "domain collection." Like many newbies, she has not a clue.

 

[bmugford]

It's no surprise the person tasked with this "job" has very little clue what makes a good domain to begin with, how has she been employed at Versign for so long? I guess "coordinating global content marketing" with a major monopolist corporation doesn't involve the strategy of actually naming anything... Check out her "domain collection." Like many newbies, she has not a clue.

DailyDoucheDigest.com. What a gem.

Brad

 

[alcy]

so is me domain investor or domain scalper now?

I wanna know if I should update my cv.. I wouldn't wanna seem like I'm not keeping upto date with latest trends.. and stuff like this.

 

[Haykay2005]

Domain investors creatively come up with word combinations that are effective, original and valuable, and bring these combinations to the attention of those in branding, marketing, and management that could benefit from their acquisition.

Domain name investors make domain names available in an orderly way through marketplaces, brokers, company websites, and other means. Without domain name investors it would be much more difficult for companies or organizations that want a name to find it, and domain investors also efficiently make the variety of available alternatives obvious so the best business decisions can be made.

Domain investors have expertise in the value and importance of digital assets, the regulations surrounding domains, new trends and opportunities, etc.

My start to a list I hope many with long term expertise and involvement can improve and add to. What do we do of value?

Thanks,
Bob (not a scalper)

That's corporate branding in summary

 

[werty]

They have us all on their hands; that's why they can get away saying stupid stuff like that. Sucks.

 

[Internet.Domains]

 

[Brands.International]

They have us all on their hands; that's why they can get away saying stupid stuff like that. Sucks.

Except me...I invest only in new gTLDs, no .com here
And so far I was not called "scalper" by any new gTLD registry.
So...maybe it is good to have your eggs in more then 1 basket...

 

[Corey]

to be honest, I don't let stuff like that fill my head or my thoughts - I try not to think about it

Cheers
Corey

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I totally understand the concern and anger, but please let's not lower this to an attack on individuals who work for Verisign, please.

I think our community should work together to develop a compelling argument offered in a unified voice showing how wrong the statements in the blog are, and the value that domainers offer the broader community.

I think this could be an opportunity to educate a wider group on what services domainers can, and do, offer.

I realize I don't have nearly the experience that many on this list do, or the expertise, nor the investment in a large portfolio. I feel ultimately if we take the high road of saying why the statements are inaccurate and incomplete will have more effect long term.

Just my humble opinion, and I totally accept that others can view this differently.

Bob

 

[Internet.Domains]

I totally understand the concern and anger, but please let's not lower this to an attack on individuals who work for Verisign, please.

I think our community should work together to develop a compelling argument offered in a unified voice showing how wrong the statements in the blog are, and the value that domainers offer the broader community.

I think this could be an opportunity to educate a wider group on what services domainers can, and do, offer.

I realize I don't have nearly the experience that many on this list do, or the expertise, nor the investment in a large portfolio. I feel ultimately if we take the high road of saying why the statements are inaccurate and incomplete will have more effect long term.

Just my humble opinion, and I totally accept that others can view this differently.

Bob

Lots of lessons can be learned. Lets hope Verisign sees the mistake.

Quite simply Verisign was hoping they could increase prices in an unlimited fashion. Just like the New Gtld's can. They were hoping to put "premium" labels and hold hostage many business's that have built on the .com foundation. They did not get what they want. They are angry and that shows in their blog post. The same anger they have is the same anger many investors are feeling. Since there is so much anger in the community I will leave with a quote that follows me, "Anger is the biggest waste of time."