This transaction takes us all around the globe and shows just how magical the Internet can be. So a Chinese registrant gets a domain that represents a major U.S. brand, in the South African extension.
NBAstore.co.za sold yesterday on Sedo for $5,500.
The NBA Store is a series of officially licensed retailers which sell merchandise for the National Basketball Association. The most prominent of these stores was located in the United States on Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street, Manhattan, New York. Wikipedia
The buyer shown in whois is Victor Dutka and Mr.Dutka according to LinkeIn is Sr Director, Enterprise Network Services National Basketball Association. Responsible for voice and data networking for the league.
So instead of going the UDRP route, the NBA decided to pay $5,500 for a domain name parked with advertisements pertaining to their brand. Domaining “I love this game”
JohnUK says
Ohn what a terrible man, lol. Good luck to the guy. Wonder of NBAhave a Trademark that is valid in South Africa though .
Raymond Hackney says
The answer to that would be yes.
Date of application
Date of acceptance
17-Nov-1983 23-Oct-1984
Date of advertisement
Date of registration
28-Nov-1984 29-Jan-1985
Nature of mark
Status
Ordinary Registered
Class
Description of goods and services
25
Association
1983/08378
1983/08380
Clothing, including boots, shoes and slippers.
Name & address of applicant
Address for service
19387 – NBA PROPERTIES INC.
a New York corporation of
Olympic Tower
645 Fifth Avenue
New York
New York 10022,
United States of America
105048 – ADAMS & ADAMS
Lynnwood Bridge
4 Daventry Street
Lynnwood Manor
Pretoria
GPA Number
Priority/Convention
282/96
Endorsement
http://esearch.cipc.co.za/
JohnUK says
@Raymond Hackney Ah right ,thanks for that. Hmm, well the registrant was a very lucky “China Man”. LOL, I bet he was not really Chinese tho !!.
Raymond Hackney says
No problem John, and I don’t want to see the seller get lynched, I write the story from I thought it was interesting and just shows you never know what a big company is going to do. We see senseless UDRP’s pure RDNH and then a name where the TM holder has legitimate rights and they buy.
Domain Shame says
Here here I concur good luck to all squatters.