The Rick Schwartz Domain and Traffic Blog RicksBlog.com...Home of the "Domain King"

Is the CADNA a Sham? What is CADNA's REAL agenda??

Last week I blogged about domain tasting and contacted the CADNA directly in my official position as President and CEO of the "World Association of Domain Name Developers Inc." about how professional domainers and this new organization could be able to work together. While there may be areas in which we disagree, when it comes to "tasting" we have something in common. That email has so far gone unanswered. In the meantime I have had many discussions with folks and have seen some posts here which warned that CADNA is not to be trusted. They believe their TRUE agenda is to "Reverse Hijack" valuable domain names that are legitimately owned by painting everyone as a cybersquatter. Needless to say I was stunned to hear this.

I have also learned that the organization itself would be a cybersquatter under its own definitions of cybersquatting. Yup, you heard me right. There are folks saying they are guilty of what they are accusing others of. Some very large companies may be embarrassed to learn this.  It seems that they chose a domain name that already has a trademark!! Their domain is CADNA.ORG, but there is a company that has a trademark on CADNA and operates from CADNA.COM!! Does this cause confusion? It did with me. In my blog I mistakenly linked the post on the 16th to CADNA.COM and it was only on Sunday the 19th that somebody emailed me that I made a mistake and that it was a .ORG not a .COM at the end of CADNA.

So will we see the anti-cybersquatting CADNA.ORG get swept into court for violating the mark of CADNA.COM?? Did they not do any research? How SLOPPY can this new association be and how IGNORANT can the companies putting their names behind them be?

So either CADNA needs to change its domain name or it is just as guilty as the people they are pointing fingers at and calling cybersquatters. Then again, maybe this shows that nothing is black and white. Maybe CADNA.ORG needs to look at these differences. Not everything is a TM infringement. Not everything causes confusion in the marketplace. Not every trademark is the same or there would be no need for so many different trademark classifications. So we will wait and see if CADNA.COM files a WIPO or UDRP against this new coalition that may be violating their trademark by folks that say they are concerned about the abuse of Intellectual Property. So what say you CADNA.ORG? Are you the newest cybersquatter in town?

And how is the sale of Pharmacy.com going? It seems to be brokered by Fairwinds LLC which is one of the companies backing CADNA. An asking price of $50 million big ones would set a new record for the sale of an individual domain name. So who is CADNA.ORG? What is their real mission and REAL motive? Is it possible they know that great domains have value in the tens of millions and this is the foundation to legally take our domains to which they have no rights? Like the railroads took peoples land back in the 1800's?

CADNA.ORG seems as guilty as those that they accuse  of cybersquatting and CADNA.COM should file suit if they were to follow what CADNA.ORG intends to make legal. So either CADNA.ORG needs to take a deep breath before they RECKLESSLY call folks cybersquatters or they have another agenda.

Stay tuned. Let's see how this plays out and see if this organization will admit that they should not paint all domainers as cybersquatters. If they do, then they themselves ARE cybersquatters by their own definition and the charter members that include AIG, Dell, Eli Lilly, Hilton, HSBC, Marriott, Richemont, Verizon, Wyndham, and Yahoo! may end up with some egg on their collective faces. How uninformed can they be? Did ANYONE at these supporting companies look into this? Did their board approve this move that may end up backfiring right in their faces? Did they do their due diligence or have they swallowed something that will prove to be very embarrassing?

Rick's Time Capsule 1997. Ten years later.

Here IS my EARLIEST writing on my own website about domains in 1997 with a couple 1998 updates copied and pasted directly from the original website. Been looking for this for YEARS! I started posting about the value of domain names in 1996, but this is the first official public commentary on my own site and you can see at this point I am still selling the concept and the value of the Internet which 10 years ago was NOT embraced by the majority of businesses. My thoughts TEN YEARS ago. See if they match what I say and believe today.

DomainSeller.com represents what maybe the most extensive collection of domain property's in the world. Our focus was on property for adult sites, however our business collection is equally impressive. They may have laughed when somebody wasted $24 to buy Manhattan way back when. Today you would have to struggle to buy lunch there for that same $24. It's all about Vision!! That's right VISION! What will it do to the value of the property when the rest of the world gets on the net?
       
Yes it is true that these domains were free, then just $100 each. But that was yesterday and just  like Manhattan, you can't buy at yesterdays prices. Value is all relative. Some of these domains cost us more than $100,000 each and others are escalating at thousands a month!! While they laughed at us for "Wasting" time and money in 1996 and 1997 as we put this collection together, the truth is: Electronic Real Estate (erealestate) in cyberspace, is destined to be some of the most valued property EVER known to man! Time is of the essence!

The power of an electronic address can only be imagined by examples such as Dell Computer announcing that they do a $1 million a day in sales on the internet as of March 1997! (Increasing 6x that as of May 1998!!)  Would anyone have believed them if they announced that in 1996? Not only are they doing sales at a rate in excess of $2 billion a year, I would venture to say it is their most profitable because their overhead may only be a fraction of a conventional sale. Plus those figures are escalating daily.

And folks....That ain't nothing......This next little tidbit will floor you! Late in April 1997, Chrysler announced something so incredible that they are still clamoring. Remember, it was not but a few years ago that Chrysler had losses of $400 and $500 million. They released a statement and it basically   stated that because of the internet and being able to streamline their operations to take advantage of the net's power, they would be able to SAVE $2 BILLION PER YEAR in cost cutting alone!!! That's without even talking about sales!!! THAT'S $2 BILLION A YEAR IN SAVINGS!!

Not even the price of land in Manhattan nor anywhere else on the planet accelerated to the degree of the net and this is just the beginning. By the end of 1997 the mainsream may realize just how much they underestimated how quickly the public would embrace the internet. People you never thought would use it have now gone out and learned so they can easily stay in touch with their children and grandchildren via email. This fact alone.....is simply amazing!

Simply put folks....."If you build it.....they will come" It's that simple. Their "Field of dreams" was on a baseball diamond....this "Field of dreams" is on a slightly larger playing surface.

Domainseller.com is open to Lease, Trade, Develop or joint venture our properties. Some domains are already under contract and more are going all the time. Speaking of time....don't waste any. If you have an idea the time to act is right now. If you are interested in one then I suggest you start a dialogue with us immediately. With all the wild get rich schemes that are available out there maybe it is time to stop wasting your time. Become a visionary. Remember...."Today's visionary is tomorrow's genius!"        

And Just one more thing.....Listen folks, this is the gold rush and the industrial revolution all rolled up into one, only bigger, better, easier and a lot more profitable. The gold rush is in full swing and every minute you delay is a silly minute wasted. The net has given everyone an equal shot at a piece of the pie. It's a brand new race and everyone has a nearly equal chance. If you can read this then you have no argument and if you have a burning desire then nobody can stop you.       

In cyberspace nobody knows if you are black or if you are white, if you are rich or poor, tall or short, fat or skinny, clean or dirty, handicapped or healthy, Christian or Jew etc., ....They know only two things....the content of what you have to say and a way to communicate effectively to people from all walks of life and from around the globe. Plus the value you put on your own character. Consisting of your credibility, your honesty, your integrity, and your devotion to do things the right way without taking advantage of others. This will be either your greatest asset or a liability that will inevitably be your downfall. You don't judge a book by its cover, In cyberspace you are judged by your content. Of course a nice cover such as a great domain name couldn't hurt.
       
The opportunity that any one of these domains can give to an individual or company who can accomplish what they set their minds to is truly a gift that has dropped in their lap. Now it is up to you to see if you have the guts, the drive and the creativity you need to acquire your dream.
       
Look over our domains. Allow yourself to come up with a creative idea. You only need one idea...the rest they will write about. Remember, these are not imaginative and silly type domains. These are domains that while standing alone with no other words tell the world exactly what you have in just an easy to remember electronic address! Remember our motto......."Today's visionary is tomorrow's genius!" We genuinely believe that if YOU DO build it.....they WILL come.
       
In closing, consider the following........      
If you BELIEVE you "CAN"......then you are RIGHT!!
If you BELIEVE you "CAN'T"....then you are also RIGHT!!

Domain tasting is a despicable practice

I am famous for ruffling feathers by telling it how I see it and not trying to sugar coat things. So let's start here,. Domain tasting is a despicable practice and should cease immediately.

The dirty truth is that registrars and others are abusing our industry because it is profitable for them and also Verisign. Verisign has given out a license for abuse and THEY are the ones that have helped CREATE this mess imo.

I would hope that domain owners will make it known to these folks that what they are doing is a disservice to everyone and the trademark abuse has reached a new high because of tasting and kiting. I join with the CADNA and others and call for the immediate stop of this abuse. If not done voluntarily then I support legislation to stop the practice. It paints all of us with one big CYBERSQUATTER brush and the only way not to be painted that way is to strongly oppose tasting and kiting.

If you do business with a company engaging in this, then it is time to re-think that relationship. If your livelihood is important to you, if being called a "Cybersquatter" disgusts you, if you want to be on the right side of this issue, then speak up and say NO to this abuse of the domain industry. The only ones that even support this garbage are the ones doing it and I don't understand why Verisign and ICANN have allowed this to happen. They have been HORRIBLE stewards of the domain name system. They create abuse and PROFIT from it!! It is disgusting to me that the system is so out of control and the abuse is growing daily.

I have come to believe that organizations like CADNA may not be the enemy but may actually be an ally. I am happy to work with anyone that wants to clean up the mess created by Verisign and those in positions of power. Professional domain owners numbering at between 2000 and 3000 NEED to separate themselves from the stampede of new opportunists that focus on TM infringements and other unsavory practices to make a quick buck. This growing non-professional end of the industry is doing great damage and everything needs to be done to educate them on what is and is not proper.

Unscrupulous registrars, domainers and companies are a THREAT to our lively hoods by abusing the system and Verisign is guilty of encouraging it and allowing it and of course profiting from it. Something can be legal but still be wrong. This is one of those things.

Next time you go fishing, don't bring a pole, bring a net and see how you are greeted by fellow fisherman.

Now the SHOCKING part. I am so serious about this that I have contacted the CADNA. I am going to join and support the CADNA!

Yup, you heard it right. I am so SICK of companies (Mostly registrars) abusing the domain industry that I believe I can do more good inside than outside. So today I contacted them and I will let you readers know how things progress.

TASTING and KITING can RUIN this industry. It MUST stop and I will do what I can to put my weight behind ending this DISGUSTING ABUSE. It is THIS practice that has made "Cybersquatting" such a hot button issue right now. Because some are abusing things we are all getting painted with the same brush. The professional domain owners I know DO NOT register trademarked domains. They DO NOT infringe on others intellectual property. However folks that "Taste domains" may and the reason is somebody is paying them and someone is getting paid. Someone makes it profitable. But who wants to attack Google and Yahoo? They can fight back. So they attack the "Invisible domain investor” by calling us all cybersquatters.

As reporters and journalists write articles in the media and accuse INNOCENT business people of being cybersquatters, be careful, be factual. Slander and libel can be expensive. Learn the difference between professional domain investors that deal in GENERIC domains and TRUE cybersquatters that profit and infringe in trademarks and other intellectual property. One is capitalism and the other is an abuse of the system that Verisign helped create. I call on Verisign to IMMEDIATELY cease domain tasting. If someone wants to register a domain, they can pay the $6 or $7 and register like everyone else. Verisign allowing folks to register MILLIONS of domains for 25 cents for a few days, invites abuse. It needs to stop and I call on others to voice their disapproval.

Have a GREAT day!
Rick Schwartz

BusinessWeek and Kerry Miller's Attack

BusinessWeek and Kerry Miller's Attack

Is BusinessWeek guilty of libel? You decide.

This uninformed rookie reporter has labeled all domainers as “Cybersquatters. ” In the story she boarders on libel as she accuses the owner of fave.com (Reflex Publishing) of being a “CyberSquatter.” I wrote the following note to Ms. Miller. I hope other domain owners will also write notes. Keep them factual and thoughtful. Her email address is kerry_miller@businessweek.com

Hello Ms. Miller,

I just finished reading your article "Does your success hinge on a domain name."

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2007/sb20070813_986517.htm?campaign_id=rss_smlbz

As President and CEO of the World Association of Domain Name Developers Inc, that produces the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. trade shows, (http://www.targetedtraffic.com) I must take issue with your name calling. Just because an investor owns many domain names does not make him a "Cybersquatter." That is a NASTY thing to call somebody that has done nothing wrong. His domains do not violate anyone's trademark. He has not stolen the domain. He has not done anything but purchased the domain in a legal manner. Calling him a "Cybersquatter" insinuates he has done something wrong. He has not and you should correct your story to reflect that.

Thanks for your time!

Regards,

Rick Schwartz

Btw, Elliot Silver on his blog today shows an interesting angle. Seems the REAL cybersquatter is the company that wants the Fave.com domain name. Time to push back folks. Time to set the record straight. Write Miller. Write the editor. Don't let them slide.

Have a GREAT day!
Rick Schwartz

UPDATE 3PM: Businessweek and Ms. Miller have CHANGED "Cybersquatter" to "Speculator." Way to go!!