twitterfollowers.com on sale @ flippa

twitterfollowers.com current price 31000 25 bids bin 175000

Dont know if this is in the right forum category but Just thought id post on a current auction at flippa which has some comical side to it imo.

the big issue here is trademark

we have multiple people asking this `new` seller if there is any trademark infringment and it seems he is making the point that twitter have trouble enforcing trademarks so this name would be safe. <<<<< funny

next we have flippa most likely banning people who are flaming the auction (seems sus to me as flippa wont want to pull this auction as it means lost success fees if they do) <<<<<<<< funny


your thoughts on the trademark issue?

My thoughts = I wouldn't waste the money on this domain because using the word "Twitter" with the intention to make "money" is, at least in the USA, considered "illegal". I wouldn't waste the money on the domain knowing that I could be sued and have to shut down, give up, or even possibly go to jail/prison for infringement.



Jail food sucks.



But I might be over-thinking things a bit....

Looks like it's gone? Not showing for me now.

I wouldn't buy a domain w the word "Twitter" (or "Facebook" for that matter) - don't think it's wise, but it's a good domain!

Seems as though it has been taken down?

Most probably flippa has taken it down due to trademark issue.

nope its still up....16 days left 42k

heres an extract from the twitter help centre

Naming your Application or Product, Applying for a Domain

We understand that you want your application or product that enhances the Twitter experience to be identifiable as part of the Twitter ecosystem. This is important to us too, but Twitter is also the name of our service and company, so we're cautious about potential confusion.
Do:

• Name your website, product, or application with something unique. Uses of Tw-, and Twit- are generally okay with us.
• Feel free to include language on your site explaining that your application is built on the Twitter platform so people understand your product.
• Use Tweet in the name of your application only if it is designed to be used exclusively with the Twitter platform.

Don't:

• Use Twitter in the name of your website or application.
• Use just "Tweet" or "Tweet" with a simple letter or number combination (for example, 1Tweet, Tweet, Tweets).
• Register a domain containing twitter (or misspellings of twitter).
• Apply for a trademark with a name including Twitter or Tweet (or similar variations thereof).
• Use Tweet in the name of your application if used with any other platform.

kudos for the owner of this domain name to score it...but lets face it..hes trying to sell to a newbie/sucker and just might get his pay cheque if flippa dont pull the auction. Feel sorry for the poor soul who buys it though

It's an interesting auction, I've been following it. I don't know enough about trademark etc. to comment on that side of things, but I know I wouldn't be shelling out $XX,XXX without speaking to a good domain attorney too. In my experience, Twitter are pretty strong at protecting their domains.

At the bidding level right now, I'd assume the top bidders know what they are doing and have done their research on the risks etc.

The challenge for the new owner will be monetizing it without pissing off Twitter to come after them. I'd imagine if they just put up an information site with minimal monetization that they will be okay, but shelling out ~$50k for a domain that you're not going to monetize seems a bit dumb to me.

I followed the auction up until the end, where the reserve was met at $75k, and now searching Flippa, there is no trace of the auction.

After doing a quick search, it is full blown monetized to the T, offering "follower" packages ranging from $100-$10000. Any bets on how long before litigation?