NameJet: Did a domain speculator cause trouble with another man’s won auction?
Mike Berkens over at TheDomains.com blogged about how the domain Switch.net – a generic term pertaining to several uses – was sent to the WIPO days after it was won at a NameJet auction.
Dorian Banks, CEO and co-founder of Metro Bridge – a Vancouver, Canada based company that provides broadband wireless Internet access to businesses, won Switch.net at NameJet with a top bid of $3,655.
Soon after, he was hit with multiple notifications – including one UDRP notice – which allege his involvement in a scheme to defraud Swiss company Switch.ch
The byzantine scenario gets denser, as a person by the name of “Mr. Pattersons” is named as the defendant. It is not clear if this is the name of the previous holder of the domain name, Switch.net, or a third person involved in negotiations with the Swiss company Switch.ch
Sounds familiar?
A couple of years ago I blogged about the proliferation of a practice on NameJet, whereupon a bidder lurking at auctions of domains offers to bid on behalf of companies that have a bidding interest – some might own a trademark similar to the domain being auctioned.
In the process, he refers to fellow bidders on NameJet as “cybersquatters“.
Clearly an issue that needs to be examined by NameJet and an interesting situation unfolding with WIPO and the popular auction marketplace in focus.
October 31st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Interesting. Never knew that this type of strategy was going on behind the scenes.
November 1st, 2011 at 8:04 am
Theo – I think you’re spot on.
Somebody must have alerted a number of TM holders.
Sounds familiar indeed !
November 1st, 2011 at 11:12 am
does this block another (3rd)party from filing WIPO claim or UDRP on the same domain?
November 1st, 2011 at 11:14 am
Dan – Absolutely not.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:33 am
this is a very generic domain name, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds, definitely one to watch.