Value of *iPad* domains

[pepeek]

Hello everyone,

When the iPad was introduced by Apple I though it is good idea to invest in some domains. I bought hand full of domains with *iPad* keyword. The trouble is that I'm not an investor really and the domains are parked with no gain generated so far. I've decided to get rid of them. I would like to know your opinion on the questions bellow.

1) do you see an investment value in *iPad* domains?

2) is it stupid to ged rid of them today?

3) what is the best way to sell them. I've tried SEDO/GODADDY/eBay but with no success. Of course one problem is that I'm not doing it right, asking too much, not marketing properly, not choosing properly which domains to sell and which to keep. My current idea is to list quite a bit of domains on eBay.co.uk with no reserve with start price 15GBP. Do you see this as really stupid (loosing valuable domains for a few pounds) or smart (hoping that people attract nice domains with low price and bidding will rise the price?) or just risky? What would you do?

4) what is the best way to monetize domains which I keep? Do you see a potencial in the domains above? Which service would you recommend to go with?

My problem is that I don't really have time for this. My business is to develop edu games for iPad which together with my kids totally eats all of my time.

Your help is greatly appreciated,
--Josef

 

[rob]

The 'new domainers' forum could do with a READ THIS FIRST thread - or perhaps a welcome PM explaining the basics / link to a FAQ?

 

[Edwin]

A "domainer education" doesn't come cheap! You've just set fire to over a thousand pounds by registering all those worthless TM names.

There are only two roads to take from here:

A) Give up on domaining (let EVERY ONE of the domains you registered with "ipad" in them drop, and don't register any more domains)

or

B) Read lots and lots and lots (all the info you need is in the archives of this forum) until the difference between a commercial domain and a worthless TM name has really sunk in, then let EVERY ONE of the "ipad" names drop and perhaps register a small handful of very carefully chosen names (or buy a couple from other people if you see unrealised value)

or

C) Give up on the English domain market and focus on your local ccTLD and language, where you may be less out of your depth

 

[pepeek]

Oh well. Some experience really cost some cash. Thanks for decent words of advice.

I don't want to argue with some of the facts, just trying to understand. "Seemly" says that I could get in big trouble if I develop a web with some of the domains. However there is tons of well established webs, e.g. iphonedevsdk.com. Is not the iPhone also TM? Appart from this one there is plenty others? Are they aware of the risk but trying to gain as much before Apple get them? Or?

BTW, I'm mentally ready for your advise A) I want to focus on my job.

 

[Blossom]

I don't want to argue with some of the facts, just trying to understand. "Seemly" says that I could get in big trouble if I develop a web with some of the domains. However there is tons of well established webs, e.g. iphonedevsdk.com. Is not the iPhone also TM? Appart from this one there is plenty others? Are they aware of the risk but trying to gain as much before Apple get them? Or?

If you aren't directly selling Apple products they will tend to leave you alone - however you're still at risk because they can still decide to come after you with a big stick. They know what's good for them though, which is why they allow sites like macrumors.com.

 

[Alien]

Welcome to AD.

I'm sorry, I think they are all completely worthless and I'd not bother renewing any of these (in fact cancelling the .co.uk's is the way to go IMO). As pointed out the TM consideration alone could severely bite you in the bum - and do you really want to tangle with the big Apple over these?

You might get lucky and sell one or two for a small amount, you probably won't. Please don't buy anything more and get carried away until you're a little more knowledgeable!

Good Luck and visit often!

PS: Just because other sites are operating/trading using other TM names doesn't mean they won't get caught at some point, taken down or be legally pursued. Do you want that potential risk?

 

[untagged]

Some good advice posted here.

I had a trademark name, they came after my corporation with a solicitors letter etc... I immediately showed I was willing to co-operate with them and make the transfer to the trademark owner (I mean the domain name was worthless to me, I couldnt do anything with it) but I said I would like "reasonable expenses" for my time etc... and they paid it. I didnt get much, but was ~7x the registration cost so was happy with that.

 

[linkr]

I don't see why dropping these, without at least trying to sell them first, would be a good idea. Try to sell them and if it doesn't work, drop them.

You weren't the only one with this brilliant idea though. There's a guy selling a batch of ipad domains on Flippa, so you can check it out and it will give you a pretty good idea on how much you can get for your domains:

https://flippa.com/2697269-ipad-domains-dominate-the-ipad-niche-with-15-domains-no-reserve

 

[binny]

You weren't the only one with this brilliant idea though. There's a guy selling a batch of ipad domains on Flippa, so you can check it out and it will give you a pretty good idea on how much you can get for your domains:

https://flippa.com/2697269-ipad-domains-dominate-the-ipad-niche-with-15-domains-no-reserve

Those are some awesome domains, he obviously foresaw the .org mulitple hyphen market was about to boom, no wonder he looks happy in his photo.

 

[newly listed!]

god reading this shocks me.. no matter how much of a 'newbie' you are in 'domaining' it stands to reason not to reg someone elses major brand! maybe a solicitors letter will be the way to learn from your mistakes if you are that crazy to buy them in the first place as common sense seems to be a little lacking here, wow.. get rid asap to save yourself big hassle as a possible claim against you for copyright infringement will put you at an even further minus in your bank account and that will take forever to recoup in domaining at a later date when trying to start off.. dont make it hard for yourself by adding possible extra problems onto your shoulders & good luck in the future..

 

[untagged]

From what I have seen and heard, the Trademark holder typically will not come after you as long as you have:

1) NOT developed in ANY way the domain name (or even plan to).
2) NOT branded or try to recreate a logo for the name that would confuse the public into thinking they were dealing with the actual company.
3) DO NOT point the domain name to a holding page that contains ANY advertising banners, this can be seen as making money from someone elses trademark.
4) DO NOT sell the product of the domain name on the site or link to it, you may think you are helping them sell more but think again you are unauthorised to sell it on their behalf.
5) DO NOT try and sell the names in a public forum like the Flippa auction linked on here, this will attract the attention of the trademark holders and they will come after you.

If they were my names I would point all the names to one holding page stating all the names and explain that they were "registered in error" and for a "cost price donation" you would be more than willing to transfer them to the trademark owner, otherwise the domain names will be left to expire.

And if they come after the names but dont want to pay anything for them, just co-operate with them, transfer the names to them and you should be ok.