domain yale.degree - Appraisal Request

[gigawhat]

So, bought this one...and a bunch of other interesting domains the same day, while doing a research project.

My thoughts for this domain are that it would have value for the University, but more as a vanity domain for an alumnus.

Don't know who to approach about it, really.

Suggestions?

Estibot gives it $820 just on the virtue of it being a 4 letter domain. BUT, given the brand value and name recognition, I feel it should be a couple multiples higher.

 

[Kate]

I think this one has trademark issues. And this name would be about Yale degrees only, thus limiting your scope.
You might receive a C&D soon. The university has also filed a number of UDRPs in the past.
And there is only one reported sale (courtesy of namebio):
master.degree 1,628 USD 2015-12-07 Sedo

PS: automated appraisals are worthless.

 

[gigawhat]

Oh, I figured the automated valuations were basically pulled from nowhere.

Thanks for the info. We shall see on the C&D. Nothing on the site, yet.

I actually have a site that I'm developing content for, so this is a part of a larger story I'm dealing with concerning domains, schools/edus, and more.

 

[svede]

quoting my appraisal in the professional appraisal area:

Unfortunately, the only luck with this one is bad as it isn't worth more than $0. You are treading on the TM for Yale University. If they want it, they can take it - possibly at a loss to you (legal fees, any profit you make with it, etc). Maybe you will get lucky and sell it to another unsuspecting buyer for a few bucks, but I would drop this one faster than a hot pan.

 

[gigawhat]

Nahhh... I bought it for a research project. I asked about it in here, because I wanted to know how something of this nature might be handled.

Worth the $12 to find out the info... I've found that the problem with a lot of these people, is that until it becomes an actual issue, they won't take steps to resolve it. Happy to give it to Yale, with my compliments.

Thanks for your response.

 

[svede]

Doesn't matter why you bought it - if it infringes their TM, they can claim it. Also, while many don't do anything until it becomes an issue, MANY do take proactive action and watch what is regged. The fact that they have filed a number of UDRPs in the past (see Kate's post) suggests they could be one of the more proactive ones. Not worth the $12 to get into a lawsuit.

 

[gigawhat]

Well, if they ask for it, I'll hand it over. Not a big deal insofar as that is concerned.

The UDRP regs specifically state that I cannot try to sell for more than I paid in reg. costs, and I actually didn't register it for the purpose of selling it. I just did it to see if I could. Because I couldn't believe it was unregistered.

I read the regs. We're good. Thanks for the input. Since the site has no parking traffic, or anything of the sort, we're also good.

Thanks for your input. Since it cannot legally be sold, and since I was not aware of that fact when registering, nor did I put it up for auction, then it should not be a big deal.

 

[svede]

You obviously don't understand how UDRPs work... its not just trying to sell it that can cause issues for you, but even owning it. I'm not going to keep arguing this point with you since you obviously think you know the law despite just starting domaining, but enjoy the courtroom when you get there (whether with this domain or another, your attitude is sure to get you there!).

 

[gigawhat]

Actually, not a noob in this respect.

Juat new to this forum. I do appreciate it. But I've dealt with this exact situation before Resolved it satisfactorily, quickly, and without a court appearance being necessary.

I'm not uninformed on the subject.

Neither am I being flippant nor disrepectful. Far from it.

But I am well aquainted with lawyers, the law, trademark, and copyright law.

I appreciate your input and experience, and do not discount it.

But you are not dealing with someone who looks at domains for profit as a primary, secondary, or even tertiary form of income.

More or less, I want to understand the process. It's an academic exercise...


And your wisdom is a byproduct of that process. So are your warnings.

As i understand it, there is no way to disavow a registration.

I'd love to give it directly to Yale

But I have never found a way to do so.

If you have one, I'd love to know.

Zero sarcasm there.

 

[svede]

Suit yourself, but one experience doesn't define how the system works - they may have been nice to you, but many are not (for the point of teaching people a lesson in front of others or whatnot). You say you are not a noob, but your statements about how UDRPs work, etc suggest otherwise. My knowledge both comes from my experience doing this for 12 years and my wife being a lawyer. But my intent is merely to help you avoid these issues; if you don't take the advice, I cannot do anything else.

As i understand it, there is no way to disavow a registration.

Registrars do allow you to delete domains (or at least all I have dealt with).

 

[gigawhat]

Thank you.

I am not a noob, but I am not as deep into things as you are, either. I'm not on the "get rich quick train". I simply have a portfolio of domains that I've purchased over the years for the purpose of building out...a pretty large one.

I am not a "domainer", nor do I have aspirations of being one. Rather, I just have some domains in my portfolio that might be of value, and I'd like to slim it down a bit (seems everyone here sort of feels that way).

This one, I picked up doing research.

Thank you for your advice. And if I can do deletion (which it seems I can, according to you), I'll set this one back into the wild.