Category: News

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Disputes National Arbitration Forum News Technology

Google takes control of the domain GooglePlay.com [UPDATED]

GooglePlay.com

Back in early March, Google filed a complaint (Case No. 1432449) over the domain name GooglePlay.com with the National Arbitration Forum.

The complaint came shortly after the launch of its new entertainment hub Google Play.

Despite a ruling not yet being published, part of the Whois information for the name was updated this week and now reflects Google Inc. as the registrant.

Google registered several googleplay domain names in late February through the brand protection company MarkMonitor, but wasn’t able to get its hands on GooglePlay.com at the time since it was already registered.

At the time of this story, GooglePlay.com still doesn’t direct users to the official Google Play website.

Because a decision hasn’t been posted online, it’s unknown whether the owner decided to give up the name or the name was ordered transferred by a panel.  If a decision is posted, it’ll likely be available here.

[Update 1 on May 18, 2012:. The Whois record has now been fully updated and reflects Google as the owner, however the domain still doesn’t resolve to the Google Play website.]

Talking about this story: Android Police, 9to5Google and Marketing Land

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News

A look at Mike Mann’s 13,000+ domain names that he hand registered this week

Domain Market

Mike Mann, the founder of several online companies like SEO.com and Phone.com, drew a lot of attention this week after telling fans on his Facebook page that he bought thousands of domain names that weren’t registered and were available to anyone that wanted them.

The story, first reported by blog DomainGang, has drawn a lot of interest from the domaining community.  The story was followed by The Domains’ editor and domain investor, Mike Berkens, who reported that Mann had bought 11,000 domains, which led to a long discussion in the comments section.

As you may already know, it turns out the number is actually around 13,000 new domain registrations.  That, according to Mann.

“13,140 is the real total from yesterday, a few thousand the day before, and today will be normal at about 300,” wrote Mann on his Facebook page on April 18.

Then, early this morning, Mann provided another Facebook update saying, “The whole batch of 13,000 cost about 100K. 10% of those names start with letter A including below. So is this group worth $10,000? Then you will know if this is a good investment overall. Also I am not claiming this is my best investment, just clean up work that will be somewhat profitable in the long run.”

If you’re curious as to what domain names Mann hand-registered this week, here’s nearly the entire list for your reading convenience, which I pulled from the DomainTools’ site Daily Changes.

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News Video Games

Electronic Arts appears to have acquired DeadSpace.com domain [UPDATED]

Dead Space 3

Right now, the gaming world is abuzz with news that video game Dead Space 3 was leaked by retailer BT Games.

While it’s not officially confirmed, it appears Electronic Arts is getting to ramp up its online marketing efforts with the private acquisition of the domain name DeadSpace.com.

According to Whois records, the name transferred from its previous owner, domain investor Gregg Ostrick of GNO, Inc., to Corporation Service Company.  For those not familiar with CSC, they’re one of the large companies that helps protect many of the world’s best global brands in part by registering and managing thousands of domain names.

While the registrant is listed as Corporation Service Company, there’s little doubt that any other company but EA is behind the acquisition.

EA has used a handful of web addresses over the years like deadspace.ea.com and deadspacegame.com for the game’s official website.

The game publisher owns the trademark (Serial Number: 77462331) for “Dead Space” to make video games and other “goods and services” like printed publications and action figures.

I’ve reached out to Gregg Ostrick via e-mail to see if any details about the transaction can be shared like the price and buyer.  I will update this post if I hear back.

[Update 2 on April 20, 2012:. It is now confirmed that Electronic Arts was the buyer of DeadSpace.com.  The Whois record was updated again and Electronic Arts Inc. is listed as the registrant.]

[Update 1 on April 19, 2012:. Gregg wrote by email: “Sorry, I can’t provide any details.”]

Discussion: Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine

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News Technology Trademarks

Samsung files trademarks for Galaxy Metrix, Velvet, and Legend smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Metrix, Legend, and Velvet

Samsung continues to file new smartphone trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

On April 13, 2012, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. submitted three more applications for the Galaxy Metrix (Serial Number: 85597928), the Galaxy Velvet (Serial Number:85597925), and the Galaxy Legend (Serial Number: 85597919).

Each filing covers the exact same “goods and services”:  Mobile telephones; Smartphones.

The new trademark applications come on the heels of the filings for the Galaxy Sire, Galaxy Lift and Galaxy Perx smartphones, filed in late March.

According to BGR, Samsung plans to unveil the Galaxy S III, which will be the official device of the 2012 Summer Olympics, in London.

At the time of this post, Samsung has made no announcement regarding the Galaxy Metrix, Velvet and Legend.

Discussion: MobileSyrup.com and Geeky Gadgets

(Image of the Samsung GALAXY S II via Samsung.com)

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News Video Games

Ubisoft actually registers domain name for Rabbids’ yell Bwaaaaaaaaaah.com

Raving Rabbids bwaaaaaaaaaah

Ubisoft has made somewhat of an interesting domain purchase this week.  On April 17, 2012, the video game publisher registered the thirteen-letter name bwaaaaaaaaaah.com (Whois), which refers to the crazy rabbits known as the Rabbids and their trademark yell, “BWAAAAAAAH!”.

Oddly enough, Ubisoft opted not to go with shorter versions of the name like bwaaaaaaaaah.com (which is only twelve letters long and is available at the time of this story).  In fact, Ubisoft could’ve registered the nine-letter, ten-letter or even the eleven-letter names.

The registration appears related to the first volume of a comic book that will be released in June by the same name.

At the time of this story, the domain does not resolve to a web page.

Discussion: GoNintendo

(Image of Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party via Ubi.com)