The domain name RomneyRyan.com has hit the auction block at Flippa.com.
The domain was registered in 2010 and is the subject of numerous stories since Mitt Romney named Paul Ryan his running mate.
The auction, which as of publication still has over two days to go, has a top bid of $5,000, which has not hit the reserve price.
The domain has a buy it now price of $100,000.
Beyond being very opened about his desire to sell the domain, the domain owner Peter Crowley has been baiting the campaign to buy the domain even putting up the tongue in cheek link to Mitt Romney’s tax returns.
The traffic on the domain has gone through the roof since Ryan was announced as the VP pick a week ago Saturday, and is getting close to ranking inside the top 20,000th busiest site in the US according to Alexa.
On the other hand the domain name Mitt.com is still for sale which only has an Alexa ranking of over 13 Million.
Darn squatters.
Smart move by the owner…cashing out at the top. The name will be worth near zero if they end up not winning.
They actually wanted $250,000 at some point: http://domaingang.com/domain-news/romney-ryan-owners-want-cool-quarter-of-a-million-dollars-for-the-domain/
Acro
Right and now if the BIN is $100K you got to figure the reserve maybe $50K or so, but that’s just a guess
Mike, what is your opinion regarding the fact that it’s the conjoined names of the Republican candidates? Would they have a case via UDRP?
lol @ “RON PAUL 2012, dont sell itll be worth millions if Romny wins.”
It’ll cost much less with a UDRP or legal action.
…should they actually pay that exorbitant price it would be a reflection of wasteful spending by the Republican party. Only the DNC would be that foolish to spend so much for so little…
Just a reminder of the bottom feeders that still give domain investing a bad name – albeit – based on how it is used I do not think even UDRP can takes it away – but since they are Republicans they still may fiond a wat :).
This is just such old “technology” – but a reminder of how desparate some folks are to be part of this this Internt thing AlGore invesnted years ago.
Fox Business News interviewed the owner on Friday.
@WindCity
But the spending… actually unbashed, pervasive & clear mispending by BO & Co is much worse and blatany wastefull…. ie: Solyndra fiasco,, mistargeted/misspent stimulous money..increased unemployment…etc
Sure – there is a lot of question as to that guy and his wife in Washington – and whatever their deal and agenda is – political partys – more of that “whatever” – but the issue on this thread is buying a domain that has absolutely no value than a 15 minute hooker in Amsterdam 🙂
@” has been baiting the campaign to buy the domain even putting up the tongue in cheek link to Mitt Romney’s tax returns.”
Tongue in Cheek? I call it attempted extortion……not a good sales strategy imo.
not an high price, IMO
Look on the bright side
If it was owned by Schwartz, Schilling etc they’d be asking over $250,0000 for it
BTW How much is Schwarzy’s RomneyRice.com worth…
Enjoy the type-ins…
LOL
Romneyrice is a new flavor of rice by shwitz a roni
Romney or Ryan still has to demonstrate TM rights, though they can probably use that rather stretchy Elliot Spitzer UDRP case to stretch things even further.
Dave Zan –
WalmartTarget.com incorporates 2 distinct TMs and either one could go after the domain and win – that is not the case with RomneyRyan.com. But no one cares – especially MittRomney.com – and furthermore any kind of claim, like UDRP, is bad PR.
If a supporter (or foe) wants to buy it oin the open market – well that is just good ole free market capitalizm.
everyday that passes this domain is worth less and less …
The buyer knows it and so is the potential buyer…
I meant : both buyer and seller know it.
BrianWick – I am not interested in the political aspect of the domain but whether it is legally possible for the Republican candidate and his VP of choice to go after the domain in a UDRP and win it. Since Mike is very knowledgeable in this field, I’d like to hear his expert opinion.
Acro: in what basis?
remember: freedom of speech
Acro
My opinion in no they can’t get it through a UDRP
For a UDRP they need a TM filed or common law to show bad faith at the time of registration which they can’t possibly claim because the ticket wasn’t named until 10 days ago.
If those running the Democrat Party were smart (and they’re not), they’d buy RomneyRyan.com in a heartbeat and potentially turn the election back to Obama’s favor by using the domain as a way to soft-sell those on the fence to vote for Obammy and Dummy…but that would make too much sense.
“I am not interested in the political aspect of the domain but whether it is legally possible for the Republican candidate and his VP of choice to go after the domain in a UDRP and win it.”
It depends on what it is being used for. There have been some outlier cases in which politicians have gotten lucky. In the main, however, if someone is using the name of a politician for a site critical, or supportive, of that politician, the case runs right into the type of activity the First Amendment was primarily intended to protect.
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2002/d2002-0184.html
“WalmartTarget.com incorporates 2 distinct TMs and either one could go after the domain and win”
I’m curious to know why you say that. Are you suggesting that Walmart is entitled to have a domain name with “Target” in it? Or that Target is entitled to have a domain name with “Walmart” in it?
How do you think Target would react to finding that Walmart had obtained WalmartTarget.com?
Mike and John – thank you both.
Domo: So far the only freedom the domain is exercising, is capitalism. It was used for an outright sale.
Hi John –
Yes – you are correct as usual. Not just Win but Win and Kill should have been stated.
Obviously whichever well known entity gained control of the well known TM combination domain (WalmartKMart.com, IBMWalmart.com, WalmartTarget.com, …) would kill the domain with a no content HTTP 402 error – otherwise they, themselves would be infringing on the other TM or TMs incorporated into the domain.
And just having the domain cancelled would start the process over and over again – yes ?
Now, even though I no longer touch the First Amendment use of TMs, what about a guy that buys WalmartTargetKmart.com because he hates monopolies that put small business out of business ?
My gut tells me he would lose the domain still 🙂
Brian, typically where there have been mix-and-match brands, one company gets the permission of the other company to effectively “win and kill”. But a lot of those companies don’t get along together well enough to do that.
“Now, even though I no longer touch the First Amendment use of TMs, what about a guy that buys WalmartTargetKmart.com because he hates monopolies that put small business out of business ?”
I think he’d do fine. Even as obsessive an outfit as Verizon knows better than to go after something like fuckverizon.com, which has been such a site for years. You get mixed results under the UDRP, since not everybody, including the domain registrant, is in the US in all instances. The WIPO Overview takes that into account in their “gripe site” review of cases:
“In the event that a domain name identical or confusingly similar to a trademark is being used for a genuine noncommercial free speech website, there are two main views. In cases involving only US parties or the selection of a US mutual jurisdiction, panelists tend to adopt the reasoning in View 2 (though not universally).”
“So far the only freedom the domain is exercising, is capitalism. It was used for an outright sale.”
I disagree. The guy who was or is selling it, has had editorial content there since the nomination, and still does. Whether he would sell it to someone who wanted it to further a critical purpose or a supportive purpose is not relevant to the fact that, from all I’ve seen, he’s been making legitimate use of it.
I thought America already got rid of the First Amendment and now they are working on getting rid of the Second.
Hello MHB,
It does not matter what Romney and Ryan do with this name. Personally from my observation the GOP presidential Ticket is already D.O.A. Anyone who cares to know the reason only has to look at the cornerstone piece of their Platform which is designed to dessimate jobs in our country, and place them firmly elsewhere.
What is this you say? They want to shift the current tax system in which companies now pay taxes on their worldwide income to a system where companies would only pay taxes on their US or Domestic profits.
Great system for pushing more Jobs offshore ,and creating a Middle Class Cerf System. Be careful what you wish for because if this happens , The Robber Barron Oligarchs will completely destroy what was our nations decided advantage , A Strong Middle Class. This job destroying policy, believe it or not ,is supported by most business organizations. Not only are the Burecrats trying to destroy Amendments, they are also moving towards a destoyed Middle Class.
Is anyone smelling the coffee here?
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
…just the Kool Aid.
Jeff Schneider –
When I wake up in the morning, instead of pointing my fingers at all the problems in this world and who I expect to fix them (because I am a “genius” and have so much more “knowledge” than the average guy), I point my fingers at myself because ONLY I can make my life and business better.
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.” – Gerald Ford – Presidential address to a joint session of Congress (12 August 1974) .
Now – back on this thread – The ONLY value of RomneyRyan.com is as a defensive domain – so that opposing PACs do not try to use it – albeit any use hurts both partys IMO 🙂
Really Really Extra Gratefully Yours Brian Wick – Leader of the Branch Wickidian Cult of small business owners
Jeff
I try not to get too political here but I will say in the last few years I visited countries where there economy is absolutely booming and they all share low tax rates which attract investment and create jobs see Singapore & Panama
I will say as a matter of fact not opinion, that there are less than 5 countries in the world that tax as the US does as a matter of citizenship.
All other countries tax income based on where the income is generated or where the person who generates the income lives.
See the UK, Germany, Canada, the rest of the world
“”The United States is the only major country which taxes based on citizenship rather than residency. ”
“A 1995 study by the U.S. Congress found that at the time only the U.S., the Philippines, and Eritrea tax based on citizenship rather than residency.”
” The Philippines switched to a residency-based system in 1997, thereby not taxing its citizens on worldwide income”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renunciation_of_citizenship
So if you agree we live in a world where not only each company competes for business but each country does as well, how are we going to compete when we are the only major country who taxes their citizens in this manner?
Well, Mike, there are a lot of other things that most successful democratic countries do which the United States does not. That’s a pretty easy game to play. Clearly, we need to switch to the metric system.
Hello MHB,
Fair enough if you want our country to be a Third World Bananna Republic. The fact remains this is a job drainer and if it ever comes about which I doubt. All those pushing for a crippled middle class will realize that its demize will diminish all capital growth and there will be no place to hide. You cannot possibly think that this is progress?
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
MHB,
I want Romney’s tax rate“
are you sure of this?:
”The United States is the only major country which taxes based on citizenship rather than residency. ”
For what I understand if you live more than 6 months of the year in the USA as a legal resident you have to pay taxes.
@Jeff Schneider-
Barely a month ago on ricksblog.com Rick is predicing a Romney win (link below) and you say:
“Hello Rick, We see a resurging and rebounding Middle Class, that are this nations backbone.”…..
http://www.ricksblog.com/my_weblog/2012/07/the-eye-of-the-domain-hurricane-and-we-are-in-it.html#comments
Here today barely a month later you predict the destruction of the Middle Class ……”.Not only are the Burecrats trying to destroy Amendments, they are also moving towards a destroyed Middle Class.”
You just rant, no facts to back up your statements and you wonder no one takes you seriously.
Domo –
If you live 11 months or more a year out of the USA you dont have to pay taxes on the first 90K or so.
If you have a foreign corporation – say in Panama – all salary and dividends are taxed the same.
If you own more than 10% of a foreign corp. you must report that to the IRS whether you draw a salary or dividends.
In Panama, for example, you can “sell” your business to a Panamanian Foundation which is “owned” by 3 or more Panamanian Lawyers with you as the Director who makes 100% of the decisions but has no stock – a tough pill to swallow.
Domo
That comes from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renunciation_of_citizenship
What it means is if your a US citizen your subject to tax on your worldwide income regardless of where its made, or regardless of where you live
All other countries base tax on where the income was earned or where the taxpayer lives most of the year.
There is an exemption like Brian said I think its more like $82,500 for those US Citizens who make money in another country but I think you can be in the US for more than 30 days in the year but always check with a lawyer.
Jeff
Germany, the UK, Canada etc etc all tax citizens by this method and they are not exactly third world countries.
Of course none of them have troops in like 125 countries that’s a big bill
I understand your point now, thanks.
and that might be one of the reason Romney won’t show his returns…
“how are we going to compete when we are the only major country who taxes their citizens in this manner?”
Who says the people with all the power want America to compete? Does it really look like America is competing or does it look like America is being bled dry and driven further and further in to debt and total fascism?
Don’t take this as any sort of legal advice but you will find the following video really interesting…and shocking.
According to many ex Income Removal Service agents and previous court rulings there is no actual law that can be found anywhere on the books that says most Americans have to pay income tax …but they don’t let the little details stop them from throwing you in the slammer if they can.
youtube.com/watch?v=uNNeVu8wUak
@ BillW
Interesting display of cutting and splicing my original content . So I am the one Ranting? If you will notice some of my other FULL COMMENTS which you wont post because they will not fit your agenda. I also predicted an Obama victory on the back of Strong Equity markets through and beyond the election. Not to mention what you will call ranting or just observing a concerted effort to suppress Voting by guess who? I am not aware of a doctrine that states that voter suppression is Patriotic?? Sounds more like a Gulag initiative. Tyranny has many faces and they are all deceptive. Of course you know all about that.
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
@Jeff Schneider…..I didn’t “cut and splice” anything, in fact I posted the LINK so not a word was missed. Might I mention your quote “overall things are as bullish as we have seen in a lifetime. ” That’s far from any experts view; things are on financial and political thin ice for the US and the economy could go either way. Obama and team have proven they can not turn the tide and if he stays in we can only expect LOTS more debt and bigger government.
So where do YOU predict an Obama victory? That was the perfect place to do it on Rick’s Romney “victory” thread! Reread your own post; you certainly did not take exception to the prediction of Romneys win in any fashion….in fact to read you post one would think you were supporting Ricks view of how the election will go.
“and that might be one of the reason Romney won’t show his returns…”
Historically, as taxes are allowed to increase, more tax credits are allowed, therefore allowing the tax payer an option the “earmark” where their tax dollars go, like social programs, alternate energy,… – i.e. retaliation against a bigger government spending their tax money – and somewhere in there you get your 13% net tax each year for Romney.
So that takes me back to repeaating my Gerald Ford 1974 Quote:
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
@ BillW
Oh little Grass hopper, there are many things experience needs to teach you. Let me guess how old are you my Young Lion?? You are dealing with a far wiser Mature Tiger who eats little Lions like you for lunch. Please enter my cage at your own risk! You are no match for me Son.
Gratefully, jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
@Jeff- are you going to post the link??
Back up what you say….if you want to be taken seriously.
@Jeff Schneider- You are seriously in need some professional help!
You are the most disrespected person on any/ all domain blogs…..take some time and read back thru the comments and responses to you posts that people make. It’s up to YOU and only you to make the change.
Enough said, putting you on long overdue “ignore” as you are not able to have a civil discussion or debate.
The notion stated above wherein it is suggested, as is popular among certain odd groups of people, that paying US taxes is somehow “voluntary” is complete and utter voodoo.
And before you bring up “liens on birth certificates”, the REAL meaning of the yellow fringe on flags sometimes found in courtrooms, or various notions about admiralty law and the Queen of England, please be assured that is all equally crap, and frequent correlates of the “you don’t have to pay taxes” nonsense.
Bryan Wick:
Thanks for the explanation, I worked for a little while in Private Banking I remember they used to refer to offshore accounts and other Tax Havens as “creative accounting”.
Go figure why Romney need a tax break….