Just a little more than a week ago, in a post on this blog I asked the question whether Microsoft would broker a deal for the domain name Halo4.com, after Microsoft had revealed Halo 4 at E3 without owning the domain.
You read it here first: The company now owns and re-directs the domain to its official Halo 4 site on Xbox.com.
The domain literally just changed hands today. Yesterday, it was still registered to Scott O’Reilly (the seller), who I’ve contacted for comment and will update this post if I hear back.
Though the company doesn’t own Halo.com or Halo1.com, it owns Halo2.com, Halo3.com, and now Halo4.com.
As of today, here are the WHOIS records for Halo4.com.
Administrative Contact:
Microsoft Corporation
Domain Admin ()
Fax: +1.11
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
US
Name Servers:
ns1.msft.net
ns2.msft.net
ns3.msft.net
ns4.msft.net
ns5.msft.net
Yesterday, the WHOIS records still pointed to Scott O’Reilly.
Domain name: halo4.com (as of June 14, 2011)
Registrant Contact:
–
Scott O’Reilly ()
Rochester, MN 55901
US
It’s hard to fully understand Microsoft’s strategy of announcing game titles, then purchasing the domain names after the fact.
One can only imagine what the effect is on the price.
[UPDATE: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 08:15 PM EST: I just received a reply from Scott O’Reilly, the previous owner of the domain. When I asked about the selling price/negotiations with Microsoft, all Scott could tell me is that the only term of the agreement that he can disclose is that he can’t disclose any terms of the agreement. So, there you have it.]
Discussion: ComputerandVideogames.com, VGChartz, and Kotaku
15 replies on “Microsoft Corporation acquires the domain name Halo4.com, price unknown”
How do we know that they even paid for it?
Is it possible that they demanded the transfer to them?
I agree, that’s certainly a possibility, but why wait until after the game is announced to demand it?
I just heard from Scott O’Reilly.. the previous registrant .. will post an update shortly
[…] — a domain news blog who reported on the transaction — was keeping watch on the WHOIS records of the domain, and notes that the domain changed […]
Post updated after I spoke with Scott O’Reilly (previous owner)..
It’s hard to fully understand Microsoft’s strategy of announcing game titles, then purchasing the domain names after the fact.
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Why would they need to purchase it? TM name is it not?
I don’t know much about IP law. Maybe an IP lawywer could chime in and offer some thoughts on this. There are several active trademarks on the word “Halo”, so I can’t imagine it would be that easy for Microsoft to necessarily demand it. And based on Scott’s response, it doesn’t appear Microsoft just took it.
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