Comments on: Risks to geo-domaining

By: Seasonal greetings and some holiday reading | Domaining.org.uk

Seasonal greetings and some holiday reading | Domaining.org.uk — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:24:31 +0000

[...] is an interesting story of how geodomains are being used in the US online dating industry. Next, Predictive Domaining outlines the risks to Geo-domains, in an interesting article that covers many of the likely [...]

By: graph paper

graph paper — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:06:07 +0000

As the old song goes,
Its Istanbul not Constantinople…

By: Jeroen

Jeroen — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:22:16 +0000

Another risk or problem is the spelling in different languages. For example the Italian city of Venice (english spelling), Venezia (Italian spelling), Venetië (Dutch spelling), Venedig (German spelling), Venecia (Spanish spelling), Venise (French spelling).

By: Barry

Barry — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:11:59 +0000

One name geos are definitely the most desirable. Good point about the repetitive names being used. A lot of town names are repeated as well. So knowing which names are used by the locals and which names are well known and used is important. For New York City, you could also have Big Apple or NYC. Many ways to skin the cat

By: Perchboy

Perchboy — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:48:31 +0000

Correction: make that Portland, Aurora and Salem, as in:

Portland, Oregon and Portland, Maine.
Aurora, Colorado and plenty of other Aurora’s,
along with
Salem, Massachusetts and Salem, Oregon.

By: Perchboy

Perchboy — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:46:52 +0000

One of the more common risks is the dilution not only from a multitude of growing tld’s, but how about multiple cities, i.e., Portland, Aurora & Portland?

Then add to the mix what are city and state combinations such as ProvoUtah.com as opposed to Provo.com (I don’t know anything about either, just using those names as an example).

The bottom line appears to be that having a one name geo-domain is a decided plus, but development will be helpful to maintain the edge.

Just my humble opinion, which when added to $3.50 will buy you cup of Starbucks coffee.

By: Barry

Barry — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:55:51 +0000

Robbie, Agree that they will remain a good business but I disagree that there is no risk. How could you research or predict that a town will change its name?
I do agree that if you do the research then you will minimize the risk and that was the point of the post. If we can identify the risks to geo-domains, we can try to take steps to avoid them.
Interesting point, Phil.

By: PhilGus

PhilGus — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:38:24 +0000

A geo domain might infringe the city trademark at this time, or at some time in the future in the law changes. This appears to be a higher risk for international than US cities at this time.

the puertorico.com case:
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2002/d2002-1129.html

the Barcelona.com case:
http://www.icannwatch.org/article.pl?sid=03/06/03/0056220

the mexico.com case:
http://www.heydary.com/publications/domain-name-lawyer.html

Similar challenges have been launched against US geo cities too.

I would never buy something like korea.com.

By: Namecake

Namecake — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:49:57 +0000

I agree with Robbie on this. Geos are like any other name – Research, research, research. Before buying any name of reasonable quality you must have done your due diligence. Obviously nothing is a sure thing – but it does help to minimise the risks.

By: RegFeeNames.com

RegFeeNames.com — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:17:32 +0000

I dont see a risk on Geo domains as long as you do your homework.

Its the same with any other domain investment – Why buy or register a domain without looking at the market and doing some research.

Geo Domains are big business and shall remain big business for the years to come – Safe in my eyes.

Regards,

Robbie