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In
a refreshing change
from the usual registry model - where you
have no chance to get one of the
best domains unless you have deep enough
pockets to win an auction - The .ME
Registry is going to release
five previously reserved generic names to
applicants who come up with the best
development plan for those
domains. The registry will start
accepting applications to develop
Around.ME, Hire.ME, Fund.ME,
Find.ME and For.ME on May
10, 2013 and will leave the window
open until June 15, 2013. |
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All
businesses, large or small, existing or
start-up, are eligible to apply. .ME Registry
CEO Predrag Lesic said, “The goal of
the Premium
Domain Program is to assign the
very best premium domains to the best content.
We are not interested in just selling the
domain; we think the quality of service provided
has a far better value for our company
and for the end users. That’s the main
criteria we’ll be looking for in our Premium
Domain Program applicants.” .ME,
who started the Premium Domain Program in 2008,
believes (and I think correctly so) - that the
long term success of the extension depends
on people being able to find useful sites
on .ME domains - thereby increasing recognition,
trust and registrations in the TLD. While they
could get more cash in the short term by selling
those premium names off, the payoff will be
infinitely larger if people start seeing and
using more .ME domains in their daily
life.
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If
you are someone whose preference (and
resources) lean toward just buying
high quality domains outright you may be
more interested in an upcoming IP
auction that will run May 20-22,
2013 with domains (and related IP
assets) including Bargain.com, BrandEquity.com,
ETM.com, VirtualMall.com and
others going on the block.
The
auction is being run by Hilco
Streambank, an advisory firm
specializing in the valuation and
marketing of brands, trademarks and other
intangible assets. They were hired by
several well-known corporations to sell
off these
domain assets. |
The
domain names and related intellectual property
including trademarks, customer lists and vanity
phone numbers will be sold in separate lots in
an auction on Hilco’s internet auction
platform. Interested parties can visit the HilcoIPAuctions.com
website for more details.
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Elsewhere,
two of the domain industry's most popular
auction platforms, Afternic.com
and NameJet.com,
have announced a new partnership
under which Afternic’s portfolio of
premium domains with Buy it Now
prices will be offered to NameJet
customers. Eligible Afternic domains can
be immediately transferred to NameJet
customers.
NameJet’s
General Manager Matt Overman said,
"We are committed to providing our
expanding customer base with more
choices and the best user experience
for acquiring premium domains, and
Afternic was a natural choice.” |
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