How to sell a premium domain name without being sued?

[zerodazed]

I have a TLD (.net) that is a massively famous country music star's name (the one and only) which has been registered for 20+ years. How would I go about figuring out a base price for it and successfully sell it? I am definitely interested in using a broker if need be. Is it common practice to just contact their label directly? Any and all advice is much appreciated.

 

[UrbanSnake]

Don't contact his brand - you can be accused of domain squatting
I would say that you should sell it to another individual no-related to the singer

 

[German Rodriguez]

interesting topic, following to see how it ends

 

[zerodazed]

Don't contact his brand - you can be accused of domain squatting
I would say that you should sell it to another individual no-related to the singer

yes, would love to do that however where would i find such individual?

 

[hunter41904]

You could try selling it there are a couple places where you can sell domains at online. Afternic, Sedo, Flippa, GoDaddy, etc. Other than that, you can try unprivatizing your information on whois, and maybe someone will reach out to you about it, and you can change what is displayed on the website. If it is a good enough domain, maybe you can try to think up a way to make money with it rather than selling it. Hope this helps!

 

[UrbanSnake]

yes, would love to do that however where would i find such individual?

Hire a broker
Or list it on Sedo, GoDaddy Auction or one of the multiple websites to sell it

 

[UrbanSnake]

You could try selling it there are a couple places where you can sell domains at online. Afternic, Sedo, Flippa, GoDaddy, etc. Other than that, you can try unprivatizing your information on whois, and maybe someone will reach out to you about it, and you can change what is displayed on the website. If it is a good enough domain, maybe you can try to think up a way to make money with it rather than selling it. Hope this helps!

he doesn't need to let his information public
it's better to just use the domain to put a random email (created on protonmail for example) in a blank screen to let people contact him

 

[BNB]

You've registered a domain 20+ years ago. You are in complete ownership.

Brand and anybody can .... you know what.

But obviously you won't be able to sell the domain most likely.

Who need that domain? Not even the one and only wants it, lol.

Dream land

 

[German Rodriguez]

interesting is that the business that "needs" that domain hasn't reached you, that happened tp me a couple of years ago, no a famous brand just a business that was interested to branding their business in a certain way, and by strike of luck I have the domain registered, at the end I keep the domain and they adjust the name for something available at the moment

 

[Mark Eternally]

You have options.

OPTION 1
Sell the domain directly to anyone as is.

OPTION 2
Develop the domain into a fan site, establishing it as a stand-alone business (which may end up being profitable by itself), then sell the business.

I am sure there are other options, but I am stopping at OPTION 2.

I know people who have made millions of USD buying domains about popular books and movies, developed those into huge fan sites, then sold the business and moved on to another book/movie. They tend to target books that become movies. You can do something similar, although, the success of this is based on their fan base. Consider making it a news site about this person, to include tour information (past/present), biography information, and maybe include a forum so the fans can share stories, etc..

Oh yeah, I agree, do NOT contact that persons brand or management. If they come to you, so be it, but you are better off developing and selling this apart from them.

 

[zerodazed]

You have options.

OPTION 1
Sell the domain directly to anyone as is.

OPTION 2
Develop the domain into a fan site, establishing it as a stand-alone business (which may end up being profitable by itself), then sell the business.

I am sure there are other options, but I am stopping at OPTION 2.

I know people who have made millions of USD buying domains about popular books and movies, developed those into huge fan sites, then sold the business and moved on to another book/movie. They tend to target books that become movies. You can do something similar, although, the success of this is based on their fan base. Consider making it a news site about this person, to include tour information (past/present), biography information, and maybe include a forum so the fans can share stories, etc..

Oh yeah, I agree, do NOT contact that persons brand or management. If they come to you, so be it, but you are better off developing and selling this apart from them.

thank you. best response i have received in over a month lol.

 

[noneisnone]

only use for such a domain is selling it to someone that is looking to develop it for a fanbase type of website why would he not go after his name in .com ? artists hardly ever go for brand protection

 

[AnotherDeletion]

You have options.



OPTION 1

Sell the domain directly to anyone as is.



OPTION 2

Develop the domain into a fan site, establishing it as a stand-alone business (which may end up being profitable by itself), then sell the business.



I am sure there are other options, but I am stopping at OPTION 2.



I know people who have made millions of USD buying domains about popular books and movies, developed those into huge fan sites, then sold the business and moved on to another book/movie. They tend to target books that become movies. You can do something similar, although, the success of this is based on their fan base. Consider making it a news site about this person, to include tour information (past/present), biography information, and maybe include a forum so the fans can share stories, etc..



Oh yeah, I agree, do NOT contact that persons brand or management. If they come to you, so be it, but you are better off developing and selling this apart from them.

Long, long time lurker here. Thanks for the above.

I'm in a similar situation - I've recently obtained a .com (example: JohnSmith.com). There are a few famous John Smiths in this case.

One of then is a novelist - their book in 2012 was adapted to a famous movie that reached over $400m.

Another JohnSmith is an artist that regularly sells $5000-$150000 artwork.

(That being said, these John Smiths aren't mega millionaires. I doubt I'd get more than 2k for the domain)

I think my only way forward is to create a "John Smith Directory". Essentially a home made Wikipedia/multi fan site.

Reckon this is feasible? I'm more worried about a C&D, but I don't want to sit on a domain name for years when I can build it into a project

 

[Mark Eternally]

(That being said, these John Smiths aren't mega millionaires. I doubt I'd get more than 2k for the domain)

2k USD would not be too bad of a deal if you want to just be done with it.

I think my only way forward is to create a "John Smith Directory". Essentially a home made Wikipedia/multi fan site.

I actually disagree on this one. I think you are better off picking one of the two John Smith's and dedicating the site to that one entity.

Reckon this is feasible? I'm more worried about a C&D, but I don't want to sit on a domain name for years when I can build it into a project

Yes, the wiki/multi-target fan site is feasible, and just making the site for one of them is feasible. You should not be "worried" about a C&D, but be prepared for them. I own several companies and receiving a C&D usually just means I send it to my lawyer and they usually respond in kind and we then ignore them. The cost of your response will depend on how much your lawyer(s) charge you per incident. I would also just familiarize yourself with what your John Smith considers copyrighted, trademarked, and so forth. Perhaps look and see if there are any other fan sites for this person or their works.

I am still thinking single John Smith here. If you opt to go the John Smith directory path then that would double, triple, et cetera your vulnerability for lawsuits and for research.

I agree that it is better to build the sites into projects rather than leave them dormant.

 

[shimonahrd]

Perhaps you should consider consulting a legal professional

 

[ecomsol]

how much did they offer you?

 

[brettsteven84]

If someone is already renowned then they can take any available domain with different TLD or by adding some characters in the same domain, and promote themselves. They don't need to buy a domain at huge prices. And if they needed the domain desperately then they would have contacted you already.

 

[Mark Eternally]

If someone is already renowned then they can take any available domain with different TLD or by adding some characters in the same domain, and promote themselves. They don't need to buy a domain at huge prices. And if they needed the domain desperately then they would have contacted you already.

Another reason to establish and grow a fan-site.

 

[jenifarmakaila]

very interesting! following it

 

[EWGE]

This is to ensure that you understand the legal issues associated with the domain name, particularly the implications of trademarks and copyrights.