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How much did Motorola pay for RAZR.com? It finally owns it [UPDATED]

RAZR.com WHOIS

I recently wrote about Motorola buying up Motorola RAZR domains prior to its latest launch event, and also reported that Motorola had finally acquired the domain name MotorolaRAZR.com, seven years after the device’s first release.

Now, according to WHOIS records, Motorola has acquired the domain RAZR.com from its previous owner, Michael Putzier, who had been running a magnetic sign business on the web address for years (screen shot of website).

The amount paid for the domain is currently unknown since the negotations went on behind closed doors, but given the timing and circumstances, one can only imagine it wasn’t cheap.

I’ve reached out to the previous owner to learn more details about the transaction, and will update this post if I hear back.

Motorola has already begun re-directing RAZR.com to its Droid RAZR web page on Motorola.com.

[Updated, Oct. 24, 3:59 a.m.: Over the weekend, I received an e-mail from Mike Putzier, who wasn’t able to share the purchase price but offered more background on the story. 

Mike writes:

I will not disclose the actual purchase price, but your readers might be interested to know razr.com was not as valuable as they might think.

I was fortunate enough to have owned Razr.com well before the Razr phone was created.  As such, even though Motorola Mobility now has the “razr” name locked down tight, they were very limited in what they could have done to get the domain name through litigation.  The same would not have been true for anyone else (other than Motorola Mobility) had they purchased the domain and tried to use it in any way related to the Razr line of phones.

We quietly co-existed and I always appreciated the fact that Motorola Mobility never tried to strong arm or drag me through litigation to force the issue.   Even with attorneys on both sides, we were able to reach an agreement within just a few short hours.  (As you might imagine, I have had a price in mind for a LONG time.) 

Razr.com is now “home”, I was able to pay some bills, everyone is happy and no one had to ever type “WIPO”. 

Our new domain is now RazrSigns.com.

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Motorola continues buying up Motorola RAZR domains, amid Droid RAZR rumors

Motorola Droid Razr

Earlier this week I reported that Motorola had finally acquired the domain name MotorolaRAZR.com, seven years after the device’s launch.

Amid rumors that Motorola is planning to combine two of its most recognizable brands into a new device called the Droid RAZR, the company continues to buy up related domain names.

This week the company purchased Motorola RAZR domain names, such as razrmoto.com, through Corporation Service Company (a brand protection service).

Here’s a look at the registrations.

http://whois.domaintools.com/motorazr.net 
http://whois.domaintools.com/motorolarazr.net 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razermoto.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razermotorola.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razormoto.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razrmoto.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razrmoto.net 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razrmotorola.net 
http://whois.domaintools.com/razrphone.net 

As I’ve mentioned in the past, although the registrant is CSC, Motorola uses the brand protection service to purchase domains for its released and as-yet-released devices like the Accusense, the Energia, and the Kore.

Discussion: GottaBeMobile, Droid Life, Android Community, Ubergizmo, Phandroid and TechCrunch

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Motorola gets MotorolaRAZR.com 7 years after launch, in time for Droid RAZR

Motorola RAZR V3i

Seven years after Motorola launched the Motorola RAZR, called by some the “iPod of Mobile Phones”, it has secured the rights to the domain name MotorolaRAZR.com, through Corporation Service Company (CSC), a company that specializes in corporate identity protection.

While the RAZR is one of Motorola’s brands, the timing of the acquisition could continue to strengthen rumors that Motorola is planning to combine two of its most recognizable brands into a new device called the “Droid RAZR“.

It doesn’t appear Motorola used legal means to acquire the domain, as no cases are found in the online databases of the National Arbitration Forum or WIPO.  However, it’s possible lawyers for Motorola sent the owner a cease-and-desist letter.

It’s also very possible that Motorola opened up its wallet and paid the previous owner a large sum of money to get the name quickly.  I’ve reached out to the previous owner of MotorolaRAZR.com for more details, and will update this post if I hear back.

DroidRAZR.com was only recently registered in mid September, the same day rumors began to surface of a “Droid RAZR” smartphone.  However, Motorola doesn’t appear to be the owner.

Here’s a look at the updated Whois record for MotorolaRAZR.com.

Registrant:
Corporation Service Company
Domain Registrar
2711 Centerville Road Suite 400
Wilmington, DE 19808
US

Registrar Name….: CORPORATE DOMAINS, INC.
Registrar Whois…: whois.corporatedomains.com

Domain Name: motorolarazr.com

Created on…………..: Sun, Oct 31, 2004
Expires on…………..: Wed, Oct 31, 2012
Record last updated on..: Sat, Oct 01, 2011

Administrative,Technical Contact:
Corporation Service Company
Domain Registrar
2711 Centerville Road Suite 400
Wilmington, DE 19808
US

Although the registrant is CSC, Motorola uses the brand protection service to purchase domain names for its released and yet-to-be released devices like the Accusense, the Energia, and the Kore.

Discussion: Electronista