According to a press release we received toady by the registrar 101Domain.com, now that the .Sucks domain extension has launched they are pricing the “reserved” .sucks domains at $2,199 well below the $2,499 suggested retail price, however the PR makes it clear that you could wind up in an auction for a yourbrand.sucks domain.
Here is the info from the PR:
There are two distinct launch phases for the .SUCKS extension:
TMCH Sunrise Phase, for those validated in the Trademark Clearinghouse
Begins 30 March 2015 to 29 May, 2015
Domain names will be allocated after the phase has closed.
Multiple applications will go to auction.
Certain names may be reserved or considered premium names.
1 year: $2199.18.
Renewals for this domain are $2199.18 per year.
Whois privacy is not available for this extension.
General Availability
Begins 1 June, 2015
1 year: $249.18
Renewals for this domain are $249.18 per year.
Whois privacy is not available for this extension.
The dotSucks registry has created a list of domains called “Sunrise Premium” with the aim of further protecting rights-holders. This list was created by analyzing previous Top Level Domain Sunrises and Block product purchases. This protects you, as the brand owner, from having your domain purchased after Sunrise for $249 by a potentially disgruntled party. If a premium domain was not purchased in Sunrise, the domain will still be available to all during General Availability; however the premium price will apply. Our “Sunrise Premium” pricing is $2199.18.
If you have a Trademark Clearinghouse Validation, I highly recommend that you purchase your domain during the Sunrise period. This removes it from the market for General Availability, where the public may purchase the domain after 1 June, 2015.
Blocking Option
The registry recognizes that some may simply want to block a name from being used in the dotSucks namespace. To facilitate this, dotSucks has created a product that will allow anyone to have the ability to place any domain available as a Standard Registration domain on the reserved list. This will prevent any registration of the domain. The blocking option will be available only after General Availability begins on 1 June, 2015. Pricing will be approximately 25% less than a standard registration.
Blocks are NOT available on Premium or Sunrise Premium domains. This means, that if your term is deemed premium, you will not be able to block it and you must purchase during one of the phases noted above.
I am available to discuss your options over the phone should you need assistance. It’s my continuing goal that you secure the domains that will strengthen your brand and catapult your business success to the next level.
I would file a lawsuit against ICANN and 101 if my brand was bought under the .sucks domain extension. It is obvious that by the 2199.00 price they are basically extorting money from companies hoping they buy the domain to protect there brand. This isa complete joke and is showing just how dumb this new scam is.
Good luck with that
Legal extortion.
Another black eye for the industry.
Black eye is on ICANN.
I think it will be a reputational hit for the industry myself. It reinforces a lot of the domain industry stereotypes, i.e. that we sitting there thinking up ways to try to get money out of people.
And you’re not?
Yes, I am. That is what business is about. But this is basically advertising it front and centre. There is no argument of acceptability in my view. There is nothing being provided of any worthwhile use, it just a “penalty” for brand protection.
ICANN.Sucks for approving this extension.
There are certainly going to be lawsuits over this extension potentially involving the registry and ICANN itself. ICANN is not immune from lawsuits, and just because they approve an extension does not make obvious extortion “legal” either.
Brad
Right Brad!
1. True. The registry is being a little naughty. True. Brands (company’s) don’t always get things right so people should be allowed to complain and .sucks would be an easy way to complian that would get the brands attention. True. We operate in a workd were there is choice, brands have the choice to buy or not choice is not extortion.
2. I really don’t see what the problem is? If I was one of the brands I would wanna know when I upset someone so that I could try put it right and become a better brand.
3. It’s all a storm in a teacup. The brands defensive position ought to be not to buy the inflated price. Call the registers bluff so that no brand buys thier brand names in the sunrise period, wait until the names go on general release to the “the public” who won’t pay more than a few dollars for them. Then the brand should approach the person who paid a few dollars for the domain name and manage them in a way that protects thier brand. The registry don’t get thier inflated pricing and status quo is restored. Nothing has to go legal, where the real extortion begins.
1) Extortion is pay up or something bad happens. Choice is always part of the equatio, but in this instance the bad is pretty well defined (unlike under most other extensions)
2) I agree with you in regards to it not being an issue as every extension could include a SUCKS as part of the domain registered (including under .com)
The rest is irrelevant.
.sucks isn’t about complaining to the company, it is about sticking it to the company.
.sucks will be the playground for trolls.
3) or they can block.
The cheap registration is for little more than a redirect to a forum setup controlled by everything.sucks.
The next rung up (around $250) where you can build your own website is more expensive than a block (unless your brand is declared premium)
…
No, the most likely approach will be civil lawsuits directed at people when they commit libel/slander and at that point everything.sucks might not be protected by “safe harbor laws” because their service is very specifically geared towards encouraging a specific form of behaviour which means they may well be held liable.
1) “Something bad happens” in this case is not illegal. Extortion is too strong of a word. Naughty covers it. 🙂
Hello MHB,
Rick Schwartz said these type of shenanigans were coming. He spotted this ( Epic Cl………f..ck ) way ahead of most peoples awareness. We give Rick credit for his ballsy calls, we are sure he’s chuckling watching this Fiasco unfold.
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
I commented in several post that the arrival of many gTLDs have many problems at once without a control that trademark Clearinghouse to defend that? a domain name that is already Trademark with TDL domain names.
I register new gTLD and find problems with a keyword (domain 4 letters) Unable to register that having Trademark Clearinghouse but not be the same gTLD extension than mine I state my reasons recorder I buy and then sell not to do a commercial website I be Domaining, buy and sell to over one word have many variants of the use of the name as a product and service in the end be me right.
Rick, long before gTLD plain speaking and writing about the same as @MHB in your comment.
Extortion is not gTLD exists in this market much better not speak for anything or lawyers themselves are interested in entering that all more or less come to win or lose reputation, name and money in this market and industry is proper of what a Domaining.
Hello MHB,
Actions being taken by the new gTLD supporters are giving the whole gTLD Gamble a black eye reputation. Rick Schwartz saw this happening early on. We support Ricks position 100% , The Battle for Eyeballs is fast being won by ALL .COM Holders. ( .COM subdomains are a superior Marketing Strategy compared to the Operably Plagued new gTLDs ) Where do you stand on this?
JAS 4/3/15
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
New gTLDs are here to stay. .COM will just have to get use to sharing the Internet.
This is beyond ridiculous, no one should waste their time with this…. talking about it or worrying about it.