The Rick Schwartz Domain Name and Traffic Blog: RicksBlog.com – Home of The Domain King®

Morning Folks!!

This is how you play T.R.A.F.F.I.C. R.O.U.L.E.T.T.E.

Morning Folks!!

The way to inoculate ourselves against things like Reverse Domain Name Hijacking is letting them know ALL THE TIME that they have crossed a line. That while they were busy calling us cybersquatters, it has been nothing but a smoke screen to cover an attempted theft. Or perhaps a premeditated attempted theft. Either way the folks get to decide how to split the hair.

But today I made a decision. I decided to post those convicted of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking every month or so. Maybe every day. Whatever it takes to get the message out loud and clear.

I have 23 such cases so far and each win will discourage the next would-be hijacker. A tip of the hat to all owners below that fought and a big congrats to the attorney that represented them! I will list any and all cases as I learn of them.

SaveMe.com The Grand daddy of RDNH. Here is my post on this very big win against Márcio Mello Chaves, aka Márcio Chaves aka Marcio Chaves

The Complainant is G.W.H.C. - Serviços Online Ltda., E-Commerce Media Group Informação e Tecnologia Ltda. of Sao Paulo, Brazil, represented by Almeida Advogados, Brazil. Found guilty of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking

Case #1 is our Friend Scott Day of Digimedia who won a $100k+ judgment against GOFORIT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC who IS a REVERSE DOMAIN NAME HIJACKER.

Case #2 Rain.com Media Rain LLC engaged in Reverse Domain Hijacking

Case #3 CinemaCity.com The Complainant is Prime Pictures LLC of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), represented by Law offices of Vince Ravine, PC, United States of America (“USA”). Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #4 CollectiveMedia.com The Complainant is Collective Media, Inc., New York, United States of America, represented by Lowenstein Sandler PC, United States of America is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #5 Elk.com The Complainant is ELK Accesories Pty Ltd. of Preston, Australia represented by Pointon Partners, Australia is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #6 ForSale.ca Globe Media International Corporation is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #7 Mess.com Kiwi Shoe Polish Company, The Complainant is Mess Enterprises, San Francisco, California, of United States of America, represented by Steve Clinton, United States of America is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #8 Goldline.com The Complainant is Goldline International, Inc., represented by Spataro & Associates is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #9 K2R.com The complainant is a Swiss company, K2r Produkte AG of Haggenstrasse 45, CH 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #10 CarSales.com The Complainant is carsales.com.au Limited of Burwood, Victoria, Australia represented by Corrs Chambers, Westgarth, Australia is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #11 Proto.com The Complainant is Proto Software, Inc., New York, New York, United States of America, represented by Byron Binkley, United States of America is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #12 TrailBlazer.com Trailblazer Learning, Inc. represented by COO Brett W, Caledonia, Michigan is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #13 DreamGirls.com The Complainant is Dreamgirls, Inc., Tampa, Florida, United States of America, represented by Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP, Los Angeles, California, United States of America and have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case #14 Mexico.com The Complainant is Consejo de Promoción Turística de México, S.A. de C.V., Colonia Anzures, Mexico, represented by Bello, Guzmán, Morales Y Tsuru, S.C., Mexico is a Reverse Domain Name Hijacker

Case #15 Windsor.com Complainant in this administrative proceeding is Windsor Fashions, Inc., a California corporation with a principal place of business in Los Angeles, California, United States of America. Complainant is represented in this proceeding by Abraham M. Rudy, Esq. and Julie Waldman, Esq., Weisman, Wolff, Bergman, Coleman, Grodin & Evall LLP, Beverly Hills, California, United States of America. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case #16 Mindo.com Complainants are Scandinavian Leadership AB and Mindo AB of Uppsala, Sweden, internally represented. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case # 17 and Sha.com he Complainant is Albir Hills Resort, S.A. of Alfaz del Pi Alicante, Spain, represented by PADIMA, Abogados y Agentes de Propiedad Industrial, S.L., Spain. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case # 18 etatil.com The Complainants are ÖZALTUN OTELCİLİK TURİZM VE TİCARET LTD. ŞTİ. of Istanbul, Turkey, Allstar Hotels LLC of New York, Unites States of America and Mr. Metin ALTUN of Istanbul, Turkey, represented by Istanbul Patent & Trademark Consultancy Ltd., Turkey. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case # 19 Takeout.com. Complainant is Tarheel Take-Out, LLC of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America (“U.S.”), represented internally. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case # 20 WallStreet.com The Complainant is Wall-Street.com, LLC of Florida, United States of America (the “United States” or “US”), represented by Flint IP Law, United States. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case # 21 parvi.org found for the complainant in 2009 but in 2012 the courts rules that the City of Paris, France was guilty of 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacking' in a landmark case that resulted in a $125,000 judgement against the city.

Case #22 Gtms.com The Complainant is Sustainable Forestry Management Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, with its principal place of business in London, United Kingdom. The Complainant is represented by its general counsel, Mr. Eric Bettelheim. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'.

Case #23 PetExpress.com The Complaintant is Airpet Animal Transport, Inc. represented by Mark W. Good of Terra Law LLP, California, USA. They have been labeled a 'Reverse Domain Name Hijacker'

My hope is this is the last RDNH case I will ever have to post. The reality is this post will be re-posted EVERY SINGLE TIME there is a case of RDNH. Every time and now maybe some value based companies will think twice before flirting with this tactic and come to the bargaining table un good faith instead of being labeled forever with bad faith.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

When I look back I can say I have NEVER had a business plan online that included Google in any way, shape or form. Google is a bonus not a foundation.

When I talk to folks online about every 10th word is 'Google'. Every thing they do dependant on Google. All their numbers revolve around Google. Every 3rd word is Google. The minute I see folks do that, I RUN!!!

Google is the LAST thing I think about. Google is the LAST resort not the first. Google has its place in the food chain and in my mind it is at the very end of that chain.

I just see other ways to market. Other ways to circulate. Other ways to build a business and not be dependent on a company that can shut you down on a whim with no recourse.

Google is a plus for your business but it is FAR, FAR, FAR from a trustworthy foundation. It is an ADD ON! It's great to get extra traffic from Google. But that is exactly what it is. Extra traffic.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

2013 is the year WE will make things happen. WE will shake things up. WE will take back our own destiny. WE will do great things in 2013. We are going to 'Shake the Bushes' and that means put FEAR in the market. FEAR that it won't be business as usual. FEAR that the comfortable road could have some turbulence. FEAR that YOUR success will not help their success.

In every industry there are folks preparing and trying to disrupt business as usual. Put a sense of urgency in the equation. Make a bold and daring move that their industry will recognize and reward them for. Shaking things up. Shaking those bushes. And when you do that you would be amazed what shakes out. Opportunity! Opportunity is what shakes out of those trees when you rattle those bushes. FEAR likely drives some business out of the woodwork.

Fear comes in many forms. For some fear is a call to action. For others fear means go hide under your desk. But either way fear causes a reaction and a reaction is what you need to do business. To move the needle. To shake the fruit out of the tree that is ripe and who knew until fear enters the equation.

Like I stated before, 2013 won't be boring. There will be big change and those that are gullible and easily swayed will be confused. But there is no need to be confused or even fearful. We fear what we don't know. But if you do know then you can turn fear into power and opportunity. 2013 is such a year.

We will see utter collapse at points and we will also see a new breed in every industry coming to the game with a different angle, a different view, a different way to play the same game.

2013, good or bad, who cares? We are stuck with it and we should do great things to look back on. This is a period of great opportunity because there are talented folks sitting on the sidelines with no jobs and some cases no careers any more. They have a clear and more contemporary view of things and that just may turn out to be a very good thing.

This is a time to recruit an ARMY of great talent and worth and have them all do big things. Passionate folks looking for an avenue to direct that passion. What does this have to do with domaining? More than you may ever know! Something we can come back someday to discuss after the fact.

But from here on out it is about getting one 18 wheeler over the crest of the mountaintop with the help of like minded folks that understand the concept.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

As of the morning we have accepted 240 domains from nearly 100 different domainers and we have made 100 of them public. Danny and I have decided to close submissions for the first half of 2013 when we hit 300. We believe that taking on a larger amount of inventory will not be in anybodies best interest and will just dilute our efforts in your behalf at this point. We would rather concentrate on a smaller group and demonstrate 10-15 maybe even 20 deals during 2013 that we can build on for the years ahead.

Just a heads up. We MUST be very picky with the remaining 60 domains. Once we get to 250 we will operate like Studio 54. Your domain better be knock out gorgeous for us to take on. When we finally release the full list of 300 names I think you will begin to see a picture of what we are trying to do.

I want to thank folks for giving us some great inventory to work with. To go to the market with and demonstrate why we can help all parties do more business and make more money. When everyone wins nobody loses!!

Just for the record not all GREAT domains are leasing material. Of my 6000 domains I was able to isolate perhaps 10% that I would accept to my own program. So when we decline, it is no reflection of the domains themselves. For the most part we have seen some really nice domains that just were not leaseable.

Thanks for the very widespread support. I know even if you have not submitted any domains you are rooting for our success because you know how important it would be to break things wide open. It's gonna happen folks!!

Have a GREAT day!

Rick Schwartz

Afternoon Folks!!

Can you even imagine the NOISE we are about to hear from every tom, dick and .whatever coming down the pike? Each are going to tell you why THEY have the extension that will be the second coming and 1790 of them will be absolutely full of shit.

So brace yourself for this avalanche. I don't know how things will ever be the same. A flood of crap is coming our way and nobody reading this can escape it. It may be deafening what goes on. How do these folks compete let alone do it at virtually the same time? We could see about 20 new extensions rolling out EVERY WEEK for 18 months. HA! I have a headache just thinking about what is coming.

The cubicle whores will be magnified by 1800 x who knows. What we will see will be kind of ugly. It's one thing to offer and do business. It is another thing to fight for turf as these folks will be FORCED to do and we will be the poor victims watching this mess all unfold.

The noise oh the noise. Please be ready. They will yell loud and wide and they will get pissed at the mere mention of Mr. Johnson. But the freeway will be so crowded with .whatever's elbowing other .whatevers that we may just have a ringside seat to a demolition derby as this bottle neck heats up.

The 21st century coliseum may be coming right before your eyes. Oh the carnage to come. Big boys could go down hard. Others may hold their fire for 5-10 YEARS waiting for the fire to burn itself out and they can have a better shot. But we are going to see a blood bath on so many levels. And mixed in with that blood will be gobs of money. There will be hundreds of different marketing plans and hundreds of ways to take advantage of their success or failure.

I wish the all luck. I really do hope we have a repeat. If that happens everyone reading this will be just fine.

Just know that wishing and hoping is a fools game. Knowledge has the power to get those $$$. Smart dollars will end up in one place and most of us will be waiting and enjoying the show. Because what comes after is the light of day that will mark 20 years and this derby will be in the history books.

That is what I see and that is how I would describe it. Folks, start you engines! We will be there every step of the way and if one breaks out we will be there too!!

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks!!

They say it is all in the timing. Something I subscribe to. I wrote this post on December 21st as you will easily see below. What was your take away from one of the great events of the era? Maybe the single biggest event of 2012. Advertised for centuries!!

5000 years ago a Mayan salesman was looking for a gimmick. So he came out with a calendar with an ending date and while he died 4960 years ago, his marketing plan was a success. He should be very proud.

Now let's talk to the nuts and suckers that bought into this shit. Yes I know, the day is not over. Of course it is minutes from the next day in certain parts of the world as I write this. And man may have enough technology and evil to actually accomplish that task at some point. We are probably doing that very slowly.

Let me say that Mr. Gimbel, Mr. Macy and Mr Walton would be damn proud of the achievement of this salesman. Did you know that Mayan salesman I invented has a LOT in common with a lot of 3rd tier domainers? They may see something, but if that something can't occur in their ACTIVE lifetime, what value does it really have??

Just add 40 years to your age and see how old you will be and then ask yourself if something that happens in 40 years really going to help you as much as something happening in the next 5 years.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Evening Folks!!

Been a lot of Christmas's for me online. In 1996 and 1997 I would watch my traffic decrease by as much as 90% on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Eventually it went where the 2 days combined would equal one full day. So a 50% loss. Then in the last few years it has been about 15%-20% down.

It was 15% down this year for those 2 days. But the days following more than made up for it. Record traffic levels more than made up for the Christmas decline. First time I have ever seen that in my years. I think a lot had to do with the snow across the USA. I LOVE WHEN IT SNOWS!!

Anyways, just thought you might be interested in my findings.

Have a GREAT Day!

Rick Schwartz

Morning Folks and Happy New Years!!

While the rest of the world is getting over last night, we are already busy preparing for what we expect will be a very successful project in JointVentures.com.

Here is the first group of domains we are releasing publicly. What we are looking for is a very narrowly defined group of domains not only capable of being leased but attractive enough to be leased or partnered with.

Great Idea + Great Domain Name + Energetic and Passionate Partners = Best Chance at Great Success

Great Idea + Confusing or second rate Domain Name or extension + Energetic and Passionate Partners = Who knows and maybe who cares.

Just this one variable has the POWER to change the destiny of ANY project.

This is our first group of about 100 3rd party names as well as about 100 of mine. My success is YOUR success. We don't get to pick which ones pop first. We get to offer what we have and the vision we see along with our partners that are nearly 100 strong and comprise some of the most seasoned domainers in the business. A virtual Who's who of domainers because they too share my vision and want us to succeed. Their success is OUR success.

We will release the next group in the next days and by January 31st we will have announced all inventory and we will close further submissions so we can focus on the next phase. We know we have to demonstrate deals and we know we have until TRAFFIC in May to produce some results. That gives us about 100-120 days to move mountains! So when we hit 300 third party domains, we are closing it off. We are not out to tie up inventory. We are just looking for enough inventory to be meaningful and to create a winning formula between domainer and end user.

Is it a perfect list? No. But it is a starting point and the market will grade us. As we demonstrate deals, good deals, solid deals, BIG DEALS, then I am sure things will cure themselves. The next list of 100 is quite strong so wait to see everything we have before making judgements. Once we have the signed contracts we can list publicly. Some we can't make public for another 10 days but I PROMISE you they are top notch.

As we choose the last 50 domains we will be EXTREMELY Picky. So while we won't be able to take many or even most of the submissions, we have decided to make a database of submitted domains that did not make the cut but have obvious value. That way if we do have a call for that sector we don't have to say no.

Some of these domains are to be leased while others will be looking for solutions. So like I said, we look at domains through a different lens because we are trying to do something different.

For example SoccerBalls.com. Our end user formula and marketing strategy for SoccerBalls.com calls for an amount of money each year to go towards buying soccer balls for disadvantaged youths in a third world country. There is more than one way to climb a mountain.

We have other domains that are just more favorable to leasing. Either way there is an opportunity for Joint Ventures between the domain owner and us as well as the owner and end user. We are out to transform domains earning $100-$500 a YEAR into making $1000-$5000 and more per MONTH. To take domains making $1,000- $10,000 per MONTH and transform then into long term relationships with an exit strategy based on a creative formula that I personally create PLUS earn at least 10X more than they do today.

As you get to know Danny Welsh, you will know why I have put my trust in him to pull this wagon far beyond what many of us thought possible. This is an impressive fellow with a great work ethic and in it for the long term. He makes nothing unless we make something! Even the deal with Danny took many months to hammer out. It is a long term deal because we have a long term vision. A vision that we both share and everyone should be wishing us great success. Our success really is YOUR success. The chance to finally empower us again and take our destiny back in our control.

Happy New Years!
Rick Schwartz