Second chance in name game

By ADAM GIFFORD


It seemed like a good idea at the time - whipping in to register that domain with the generic name, or the "almost" trademark - the first place any web surfer would look.

But the renewal fees come up every year, and if a site isn't earning, it's eating. So what to do with what you hope is someone else's better idea?

Step forward internet name registrar Freeparking and auction site TradeMe, which have teamed to create a sub-site selling unloved or unwanted domains.

Freeparking general manager Richard Shearer said all domain names listed for sale on Trade Me would be shown on the "Used Domains" listing at freeparking.co.nz.

"Previously there has been no easy way to sell a used domain or promote one for sale," Shearer said.

Aucklander Bart Rushton has hooters.co.nz listed for a minimum bid of $250.

"I had a girlfriend who was setting up her own dial-a-stripper company, so I purchased hooters.co.nz for her. Then we split up, but I kept the domain," Rushton said.

"I have been offered money for it, but I thought I might as well hold on to it for what I was offered."

He also has stripper.co.nz for $1000. It now links to a site for male strip revue The Men of Steel.

Nev Poole, from Dunedin, registered abay.co.nz last December so he could create a competing site to TradeMe.

"I found I was too committed to my Vendorsell property site to put enough time into it, so I am selling the name and the site," Poole said.

Garth Piesse of Palmerston North has a bunch of generic names for sale, including cricket.org.nz, cartoons.co.nz and horse.co.nz.

Whether out of share or shyness, he wouldn't say why he bought them or why he is selling them now, although he does stand to make a small profit if there are any takers.

Dunedin takeaway bar worker Angela Huang stands to make a big profit if anyone pays the $699,999 she is asking for Kleenex.co.nz.

"I am using it as an email account, but I listed it for interest," said Huang.

The prospect of Kleenex paying up to protect its brand is fairly unlikely.

Huang bought the name thinking domains were sold on a first come first served basis, but the World Intellectual Property Office has allowed trademark holders to seize domains.

More than 150,000 domain names are registered in New Zealand, and about 4000 new one are added each month.