[ICANN-EU] Re: Register.com snaps up Afternic.com

[Jeff Williams <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com>]

Christopher and all,

  As a stock holder I can verify this as being true given that letter I got
from Register.com regarding recent acquisition plans and executions.

Christopher Stewart wrote:

> Just to continue on my claim that Register.com had acquired a 10% stake of
> Greatdomains.com:
>
> The following link will direct you to statements amde on March 3, 2000 via
> the INvestor Relations page at the Register.com site.
>
> Note the paragraph:
>
> Pursuing Acquisitions and Investments. We intend to selectively pursue
> acquisitions of, and investments in, companies, including other domain name
> registrars and developers of web-based applications and services. We will
> target companies that offer complementary products, services and
> technologies
> that can expand our business. For example, we recently made an investment
> for
> approximately 10% of the equity of GreatDomains.com, Inc. GreatDomains
> provides
> a secondary market for companies and individuals to buy and sell domain
> names,
> as well as brokerage and escrow services for these names.
>
> http://investor.register.com/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=rcom&script=800&layout=4
>
> --- Chris
>
> >From: Jeff Williams <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com>
> >To: Christopher Stewart <chrisrstewart@HOTMAIL.COM>
> >CC: DOMAIN-POLICY@LISTS.NETSOL.COM,        icann board address
> ><icann-board@icann.org>,        ICANN-EU <icann-europe@fitug.de>
> >Subject: Re: Register.com snaps up Afternic.com
> >Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2000 22:57:44 -0700
> >
> >Christopher and all,
> >
> >   Well researched and well stated piece here Christopher.  I hope
> >others read it carefully.  Did you happen to send this to the WIPO
> >Process2 list?  If not possibly you should.
> >
> >Christopher Stewart wrote:
> >
> > > However, it must also be pointed out that Afternic.com sued ICANN over
> >their
> > > refusal to accredit the company and later agreed to terms that would
> >allow
> > > Afternic to become an accredited registrar under a subsidiary called
> > > eXtraActive, Inc.
> > >
> > > http://www.domainnotes.com/news/article/1,2160,3371_414521,00.html
> > >
> > > As well, according to Register.com's financial records it owns a 10%
> >stake
> > > in GreatDomains.com(a domain broker). This was as of last quarter so I
> > > cannot confirm that it still does.
> > >
> > > I think the issue will not be about "cybersquatting" , referring to the
> > > Afternic.com/Register.com deal. NetworkSolutions.com offers a site to
> >list
> > > domains for sale via
> > >
> > > http://webdomain.networksolutions.com/buyers.cfm
> > >
> > > AFternic.com does not 'Sell' the domain persay, they merely act as a
> > > facilitator to allow sales to occur, much like the Network Solutions
> >site.
> > > In both circumstances neither company is being held responsible for
> >third
> > > party negligence or ignorance towards the UDRP.
> > >
> > > I do not intend this comment towards Patrick and appreciate his candor
> >in
> > > posting this tidbit of info, however, often the point of contention is a
> > > lack of understanding within the domain community about EXACTLY what
> > > services these companies offer (Afternic.com and Greatdomains.com).
> >Instead,
> > > selling a domain is labelled as "cybersquatting" by default rather than
> >a
> > > commercial exchange governed by the same laws as any other commercial
> > > exchange. The term 'cybersquatter' is frequently misused and defined
> > > incorrectly, thus leaving those in this community and the internet
> >community
> > > as whole with a bad taste in their mouth whenever 'domain selling' is
> > > mentioned.
> > >
> > > Too many examples of WIPO injustice could be referenced here. In fact,
> >it
> > > seems that just 'owning' (or being the registrant) of a domain is
> >construed
> > > as cybersquatting, less the attempt to sell -- which flabergasts us all
> >I
> > > hope!
> > >
> > > Regards.
> > > Chris
> > >
> > > >From: Patrick Corliss <patrick@QUAD.NET.AU>
> > > >Reply-To: Patrick Corliss <patrick@QUAD.NET.AU>
> > > >To: DOMAIN-POLICY@LISTS.NETSOL.COM
> > > >Subject: Register.com snaps up Afternic.com
> > > >Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 10:14:38 +1000
> > > >
> > > >Thanks to Ross Wm. Rader of OpenSRS for reminding us of the
> >implications of
> > > >this story on their discuss-list@opensrs.org where he wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > As far as ICANN goes, we can only conjecture what their next actions
> > > >will
> > > > > be. They have officially stated for the record that they will under
> >no
> > > > > circumstances accredit a firm that actively engages in, or knowingly
> > > > > facilitates cybersquatting. Further, they denied accreditation to
> > > >AfterNIC
> > > > > on this basis. Bystanders can only assume that they will review
> > > > > Register.com's accreditation in light of this new information.
> > > >
> > > >http://www.zdii.com/industry_list.asp?mode=news&doc_id=ZE505618
> > > >
> > > >Register.com snaps up Afternic.com
> > > >
> > > >By Tiffany Kary ZDII
> > > >
> > > >Internet domain name registrar Register.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCOM) said
> > > >Friday
> > > >it will buy Afternic.com, a provider of domain name resale services for
> > > >4.38
> > > >million shares of common stock and $10 million in cash.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Regards
> > > >Patrick Corliss
> > >
> > >
> >_________________________________________________________________________
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> >Regards,
> >
> >--
> >Jeffrey A. Williams
> >Spokesman INEGroup (Over 112k members strong!)
> >CEO/DIR. Internet Network Eng/SR. Java/CORBA Development Eng.
> >Information Network Eng. Group. INEG. INC.
> >E-Mail jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com
> >Contact Number:  972-447-1800 x1894 or 9236 fwd's to home ph#
> >Address: 5 East Kirkwood Blvd. Grapevine Texas 75208
> >
>
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Regards,

--
Jeffrey A. Williams
Spokesman INEGroup (Over 112k members strong!)
CEO/DIR. Internet Network Eng/SR. Java/CORBA Development Eng.
Information Network Eng. Group. INEG. INC.
E-Mail jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com
Contact Number:  972-447-1800 x1894 or 9236 fwd's to home ph#
Address: 5 East Kirkwood Blvd. Grapevine Texas 75208