As a Domainer, Will You Put a NameBlock Block on Your Names?

[bhartzer]

NameBlock is launching soon (expected in the next month or so). NameBlock will allow you to pay to place a block on a series of characters (such as your product name, brand, company name, etc.).

You'll be able to place that block so no one can register a domain that contains those characters, and a ton of common variations. For example, if PayPal would put a block on PayPal, then domains like PayPa1.com, PayPa1.net, etc. couldn't be registered. They'll show up as being not available to register.

You don't have to have a trademark to put a NameBlock on. But you'll pay annually for the block.

As a domainer, are you planning on putting block on your more valuable names?

 

[VadimK]

So, if you block Hartzer.com does it mean that Hartcer.com will also be blocked? Or is it only the Hartzer123.com type of names? In other words - in the first case that could be a totally different name, and in second - bunch of crap that no one needs. So, who decides, what exactly is blocked and by what criterias?

To me, the execution of such an idea will be on the scale somewhere between abusive and dumb.

 

[ksusha64]

It is not even clear how it works.

If there is no list of what is blocked, then anyone paying for the service would not know what is blocked when they pay for it. So then what are they paying for exactly?

I don't really get it.

It seems like a service hardly anyone actually needs that could easily be abused.


So anyone can just block a surname from others registering it? That seems like nonsense.

So then, with not just block "Smith"?

Brad

The point of the service is that you don't have to block trademarks.
It would not make sense to block a trademark, as you could just file a UDRP on the domain.

That makes no sense. I would suspect your service would be cheaper then 3-5K for each UDRP. This is so illogical its not even funny.

 

[branding]

But isn't EVERYTHING a keyword, and potential brand?
There are plenty of 'brands' that are actually keywords, like 'Target' (the store in the USA).

I am not familiar with what it going to be allowed to be blocked and what is not going to be allowed to be blocked. I could imagine NameBlock is going to have a list of words that can't be blocked. Just like there are reserved words at most registries.

They should rather publish a list of what can be blocked. Block my name/surname and I will sue the crap out of ICAN'T.

Crazy stuff like this is very dangerous, putting the entire namespace at risk.

If not, just marketing fluff to upsell something nobody really needs.

 

[bmugford]

So, if you block Hartzer.com does it mean that Hartcer.com will also be blocked? Or is it only the Hartzer123.com type of names? In other words - in the first case that could be a totally different name, and in second - bunch of crap that no one needs. So, who decides, what exactly is blocked and by what criterias?

If there is no list of blocked terms, then that question can't be answered.

The whole idea seems pretty stupid IMO.

It is basically a scheme to make money off domains almost no one would actually want.

That is outside the potential for abuse on clearly generic terms.

Brad

 

[ksusha64]

I hope this is a prank. You also will make deal with all the registrars except for one. One guy will register anything he wants because he refused to deal with this. This is crazy, this is madness, this is sparta on namepros. If one registrar doesnt sign up they will have UNLIMITED POWER to register all names. I hope thats your plan. To block all registrars so your own registrar can register all the names. Block car, crypto for everyone else except one registrar. Brilliant.

 

[bmugford]

If not, just marketing fluff to upsell something nobody really needs.

Judging by the lack of specifics, my guess is this is more marketing fluff to be honest.

Brad

 

[ksusha64]

Judging by the lack of specifics, my guess is this is more marketing fluff to be honest.

Brad

This is a mind trick for sure. There is no benefit to registrars, domainers or DOT COM. I wonder what would VERISIGN say u blocking their revenue???? This is so nutty.

 

[bhartzer]

It is not even clear how it works.

If there is no list of what is blocked, then anyone paying for the service would not know what is blocked when they pay for it. So then what are they paying for exactly?

I don't really get it.

It seems like a service hardly anyone actually needs that could easily be abused.


So anyone can just block a surname from others registering it? That seems like nonsense.

So then, with not just block "Smith"?

Brad

There is no list, that's my understanding. Actually there's a list, but it's not public per se. You just have to query to see if what you want to block is already blocked or can be blocked.

Yes, that's my understanding, that if I wanted to block my surname then I could block it. Anyone wanting to register a domain including my surname would have to fill out the appeal form.

You actually don't realize that you needed the service until you need it.
I was an expert witness in a legal case involving hundreds of registered domain names, trademarks, potential squatting, and SEO and PPC. Company being sued for over $100million. If we had NameBlock, that lawsuit never would have happened.

There are a lot of legal implications and it could cost companies (including small biz) a ton of money if certain domains are not blocked from being registered.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

But the block would only apply to registries (or registrars) that are part of system, right?

I actually, based on what I know about it so far (not much) think it is a terrible idea rife for abuse and further monopolization of the Internet by a few powerful companies with the money to spend.

In my mind, the whole idea of having TLD choices is to allow coexistence without confusion of various companies operating in noncompeting markets. The whole idea of TM goes through a significant vetting process, whereas it seems to me this block is a fast and easy thing to buy.

-Bob

 

[bhartzer]

This is a mind trick for sure. There is no benefit to registrars, domainers or DOT COM. I wonder what would VERISIGN say u blocking their revenue???? This is so nutty.

My understanding is that Verisign has signed off on it, ICANN has approved, and it's going to be launched pretty soon.

You may want to go to NameBlock.com and see what it's all about.

As a domainer, it will affect you.

 

[D Haynes]

I wonder how much of the fee/purchase price the registry gets? I'm guessing it would have to be more than the potential income generated by someone registering all the blocked names. After all its their bottom line they're most concerned about.

Is there a price for the service yet?

 

[bmugford]

There is no list, that's my understanding. Actually there's a list, but it's not public per se. You just have to query to see if what you want to block is already blocked or can be blocked.

Yes, that's my understanding, that if I wanted to block my surname then I could block it. Anyone wanting to register a domain including my surname would have to fill out the appeal form.

Again, if you can block a surname like "Hartzer" then why not "Smith" or how about a first name like "Brad"?

Where is the line?

If it works like you think it does, it would open Pandora's Box when it comes to abuse.

I mean how can you judge if you need it, if you don't even know what is blocked? You would have no idea what you are actually even paying for.

Brad

 

[ksusha64]

There is no list, that's my understanding. Actually there's a list, but it's not public per se. You just have to query to see if what you want to block is already blocked or can be blocked.

Yes, that's my understanding, that if I wanted to block my surname then I could block it. Anyone wanting to register a domain including my surname would have to fill out the appeal form.

You actually don't realize that you needed the service until you need it.
I was an expert witness in a legal case involving hundreds of registered domain names, trademarks, potential squatting, and SEO and PPC. Company being sued for over $100million. If we had NameBlock, that lawsuit never would have happened.

There are a lot of legal implications and it could cost companies (including small biz) a ton of money if certain domains are not blocked from being registered.

If someone infringes on your trademark you can win 100 mil lawsuit. If u have nameblock u dont need to pay taxes of your 100 mil winnings or think how to spend it. Thanks NameBlock u just saved me 100 mil headache of what to do with 100 million.!

 

[branding]

Judging by the lack of specifics, my guess is this is more marketing fluff to be honest.

Brad

Definitely. Like I said. It's an easy option/usefull service if you're Amazon, Google, coca cola. Saves legal fees and udrp cost.

However, say they allow you to block a surname... Say someone blocks hartzer and I'm called whatevername hartzer and want to register it...

Not allowing me or making it hard for me to do so goes agains everything ICAN'T is supposed to stand for.

Not going to happen.

 

[bhartzer]

But the block would only apply to registries (or registrars) that are part of system, right?

I actually, based on what I know about it so far (not much) think it is a terrible idea rife for abuse and further monopolization of the Internet by a few powerful companies with the money to spend.

In my mind, the whole idea of having a host of TLD choices is to allow coexistence without confusion of various companies operating in noncompeting markets. The whole idea of TM goes through a significant vetting process, whereas it seems to me this block is a fast and easy thing to buy.

-Bob

Bob, it's ONLY for registries, the domains are blocked at the registry level.
Registrars will upsell it. There will be resellers who aren't registries.

Regarding "a few powerful companies with the money to spend". That's absolutely not true. Pricing is actually very reasonable, like $100/year or less to place a block. So anyone can afford it if they want to protect their brand. Much cheaper than registering a trademark.

 

[Future Sensors]

"The state-of-the-art platform, built by domain industry veterans, offers sophisticated machine learning algorithms resulting in intelligently targeted domain blocks minimizing the risk of infringing domain registrations."

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[bhartzer]

Definitely. Like I said. It's an easy option/usefull service if you're Amazon, Google, coca cola. Saves legal fees and udrp cost.

However, say they allow you to block a surname... Say someone blocks hartzer and I'm called whatevername hartzer and want to register it...

Not allowing me or making it hard for me to do so goes agains everything ICAN'T is supposed to stand for.

Not going to happen.

Well, it's happening.
It's affordable for everyone as far as pricing goes. Like $100/year or less.

So like it or not, it's happening and launching soon.

NameBlock.com is the website with all the info.

 

[bmugford]

Bob, it's ONLY for registries, the domains are blocked at the registry level.
Registrars will upsell it. There will be resellers who aren't registries.

Regarding "a few powerful companies with the money to spend". That's absolutely not true. Pricing is actually very reasonable, like $100/year or less to place a block. So anyone can afford it if they want to protect their brand. Much cheaper than registering a trademark.

Cool, I can spend $2000 and block anyone from registering the (20) most popular surnames in many domains.

That just seems like another way to abuse the system.

I think there is likely more to this system.

I have a hard time believing that ICANN signed off on a policy that is this open for abuse.

Brad

 

[D Haynes]

Personally this probably won't have any impact on me as I only buy from marketplaces or auctions but if you model is based around regging new names this could potentially put a spanner in the works.

I'm struggling to see the upside of this if I'm honest.

 

[ksusha64]

Bob, it's ONLY for registries, the domains are blocked at the registry level.
Registrars will upsell it. There will be resellers who aren't registries.

Regarding "a few powerful companies with the money to spend". That's absolutely not true. Pricing is actually very reasonable, like $100/year or less to place a block. So anyone can afford it if they want to protect their brand. Much cheaper than registering a trademark.

That makes no sense $100 a year, You will pay 1 cent to each registrar a year?? The math doesnt make sense., My selling point as registrar would be I never signed up for crazy domainblock so u guys are free to get any domains.
There is trademark for almost any word. You are going to block trademark companies for registering names? This is just nuts. ICANN, verisign, trademark owners will be upset. Lawyers will have a field day with this. I think some lawyers put u up to this?

 

[bhartzer]

So, if you block Hartzer.com does it mean that Hartcer.com will also be blocked? Or is it only the Hartzer123.com type of names? In other words - in the first case that could be a totally different name, and in second - bunch of crap that no one needs. So, who decides, what exactly is blocked and by what criterias?

To me, the execution of such an idea will be on the scale somewhere between abusive and dumb.

My understanding (again it's NOT my service), is that if I block "Hartzer" (I'm not blocking a domain, I"m blocking a set of characters)... yes, Hartcer dot com will also be blocked.

It basically includes the typos and misspellings, but also about 500 different variations. Like blocking 1 for L, 3 for E, etc.

 

[branding]

Well, it's happening.
It's affordable for everyone as far as pricing goes. Like $100/year or less.

So like it or not, it's happening and launching soon.

NameBlock.com is the website with all the info.

I will be following closely and raise my concerns with ICAN'T.

They picked a perfect timing. Just when ccTLDs are on the rise.

I never thought .com could be dethroned but at the current pace, I'm not so certain anymore...

Insanity.

 

[bhartzer]

Personally this probably won't have any impact on me as I only buy from marketplaces or auctions but if you model is based around regging new names this could potentially put a spanner in the works.

I'm struggling to see the upside of this if I'm honest.

Let's make it clear: it is NOT my model, not my business, not my service.
I am NOT associated with NameBlock (although I may resell it when it launches).

It's not about regging "new names". It's about registering ANY name that's currently available. So even expired domain names.

 

[ksusha64]

I think I would BLOCK , words name and block to make sure this never happens again LOL

 

[bhartzer]

I will be following closely and raise my concerns with ICAN'T.

They picked a perfect timing. Just when ccTLDs are on the rise.

I never thought .com could be dethroned but at the current pace, I'm not so certain anymore...

Insanity.

Not sure that there's much you can do at this point, though... my understanding is that NameBlock got the ICANN approval and it's launching soon.