Smart Center Site Names on eBAy?

BigWarpGuy · 06-18-2008, 12:04 PM

There are some Smart Center names for sale at eBay. I think they are on the second page of the list. There are not cheap. Some prices vary from about $12,000.00 to $16,000.00. Can they sell those site names for that much?

It seems wrong.

MB DNA · 06-18-2008, 12:21 PM

Can they sell those site names for that much? - Only if someone is willing to write the check!

There are some rules that govern web name squatting but this is free enterprise at its best - what a country!

Also see: Rant: Smart Cars creating greed...

BigWarpGuy · 06-18-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB DNA

Can they sell those site names for that much? - Only if someone is willing to write the check!

There are some rules that govern web name squatting but this is free enterprise at its best - what a country!

Also see: Rant: Smart Cars creating greed...

There are a few Fortwo for sale on eBay. One is being sold for (buy now price) of $25,000.00 for the convertible. There are others for sale there too.

curtis · 06-18-2008, 01:17 PM

I just bought one.

Springlering · 06-18-2008, 01:33 PM

Squatters have sold web addresses on Ebay for ages. I used to see them all the time when I was searching my favorite category. People that had maintained a website would also tire of the website, and sell their website on Ebay.

That was when I went ahead and reserved my eponymous dot com, and then decided to have a whack at it myself. My kids laughed the day I announced I was going to build a website. They are no longer laughing. If I do say so, I rock. ;)

**SMART** · 06-18-2008, 02:00 PM

That is ridiculous. Its funny because its not even like there is competition of sales over the car and there likely wont be for nearly 2 years.

But who knows... I mean look where www.smartcenterLA.com points. ;)

If you want to buy that one its not for sale, I will trade only for a dinner and a good picture.

MB DNA · 06-18-2008, 02:11 PM

IMHO, cybersquatter kemosaby is yet another opportunist who has gambled his eBay listing fees on the hope that someone would be foolish enough to write him a check for $15k+.

With smart being trademark protected, I don't know if I'd want to go up against the hired guns at MB.

Cybersquatting means registering, selling or using a domain name with the intent of profiting from the goodwill of someone else's trademark. This is a practice of buying up domain names that use the names of existing businesses with the intent to sell the names for a profit to those businesses.

If you own a trademark and find that someone is holding it hostage as a domain name until you pay a large sum for it, you may be the victim of cybersquatting.

You can either sue to get your domain name and possibly damages under a 1999 federal law known as the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, or you can initiate arbitration proceedings under the authority of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and win the name back without the expense and aggravation of a lawsuit.

**SMART** · 06-18-2008, 09:35 PM

The real important factor is if a individual is making money off it. If there is no business from it... its not really cybersquating as I understand it.

MB DNA · 06-19-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMART

The real important factor is if a individual is making money off it. If there is no business from it... its not really cybersquating as I understand it.

I disagree:

By definition, cybersquatting means registering, selling or using a domain name with the intent of profiting from the goodwill of someone else's trademark. This is a practice of buying up domain names that use the names of existing businesses with the intent to sell the names for a profit to those businesses.

And in this case, cybersquatter kemosaby who has no intention of opening a smart dealership (running a business) has listed on eBay multiple web domain names that he has registered (owns) for the sole purpose of MAKING MONEY OFF IT - it being the sale to the smart franchisee who may open in that city.

At the end of the day, who cares - got my top back, sunglasses on enjoying my smart. Have a smart day!

BigWarpGuy · 06-19-2008, 11:52 AM

I have heard of companies who rather sue the individual or group who registered the name and wanted a lot of money for it. They usually win. Perhaps it is the principle of the thing. I am not sure if they will get any one to buy Smart Center Trenton. They might have better luck with Smart Center Princeton; a high class sort of town.