What's the next move?
 

Back in 1999, I was fortunate to acquire the domain name, shopbot.com. Within a couple days, I had an offer for 1 million for it (these were the dot com crazy days), but I declined, because I knew it was worth much more. Over the years, I get a few inquiries each year about selling it and what my price might be, to which I always reply "substantial". Its never gone beyond that.

If you do a little Googling on the term "shopbot", you'll uncover an interesting history. Immediately preceding me, it was owned by the search engine giant Excite. They spent millions promoting it as a shopping bot service.

Anyway, I always figured I'd just sit on it, and it would be part of my retirement portfolio.

Fast forward to about 1 year ago, and Ebay has announced a new shopping service called, you guessed it: ShopBot

They're promoting it all over the place, using the domain address https://shopbot.ebay.com

I'm guessing they'll contact me eventually about a purchase, but I'm kind of scratching my head about why they haven't done it yet. Wouldn't you think they would want to own the domain name for a new product? It seems natural to me.

Another angle is that if they spend millions promoting the term, someone else can step in and buy the domain name, create a new business, and leverage off of the new market awareness.

Wondering if you smart fellas have any advice on what I should do next? I'm pretty happy to do nothing... I know it will sell one of these days. Its a pretty hot name.

I wouldn't mind casually prodding Ebay to make an offer. To that end, if you Google "shopbot", you'll see something mildly interesting in the first few search results :)

Why the hell are you letting godaddy serve up ads on it? Get a linode.com for $5/mo and set up your own ads

Heck, even just set up DNS to point to my linode and I'll put up a "parked - contact for info" message. At least don't let godaddy make more $ off you not doing anything with it

You had better remind Ebay who own the domain...

You mean a one page site with AdSense banners on it?

They're not using the public domain.

https://shopbot.ebay.com is a subdomain of ebay.com

I would think this hurts the domains value. Anyone purchasing it would be in for a protracted legal fight with an 800lbs gorilla

That is what godaddy is running with it as a 'parked' domain -

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516678571.png

I don’t think so. It’s a generic term. .

^^^ for Harddrive

You should have taken the million.

Which makes it's value..envelope please....

Not sure what that means. Where do I see that?

go to your domain - ShopBot – Forget EBAY!!! #1 Amazon Best Selling Products

Assuming you still own the domain, and you told godaddy "just park it', instead of a generic "this page is parked" domain, godaddy is serving up a bunch of ads.

If that were my domain, I woulda taken the mil back in '99. Since it ain't, and you didn't, I'd contact a lawyer and document what godaddy is serving up using your property to earn money. Once you have it documented, change it to point to a generic "parked - contact me" page (I'll be happy to do the hosting). And then consider duplicating what godaddy did, leave a basic "parked" page, or whatever. And perhaps consider sending a lawyer who needs the money after godaddy for the billions they've earned over the past X years that it has been parked and serving ads that godaddy is being paid for - pay him on contingency, anything you get is gravy.

Checking via the wayback machine (web.archive.org) it looks like it was happening back in 2002...

You should have sold it for $1 M when you got the offer.

I doubt Ebay will offer you anything for it, why would they, Ebay is their brand, not shopbot.

They already know you have it and have already decided it was not worth even an exploratory phone call offering you $10k just to see where you're at.

If their shopbot service becomes massively successful they still won't buy because they don't need it.

If someone over there in legal decides they should have shopbot(dot)com just to cover their ass they'll just sue you for it and I know you've done well in life but all of us combined don't have enough scratch to defend against that.

I'm not trying to be a dick or rain on you or anything like that.

It's just my clinical response to the situation.

I hope I'm wrong and this ends up being a pot of gold for you.

I think you missed your opportunity back in 1999.

Do you go to search.com or google.com?

Do you go to shop.com or amazon.com?

My point is it is now considered better to build a brand around a quirky name than to purchase on obvious domain.

Hate landing on domains that are parked as ad space.

It's not only about that.

It's also about brand recognition.

If they've built the brand and all you've done is park a domain waiting for a payday you're the one legged guy in an ass kicking contest.

Ask anyone who's ever been sued by McDonlads or Monster Cables.

They don't always win but going broke to prove you are right is not a great strategy.

It looks like negotiating a settlement with eBay is in order. A little bit is better than a big legal fight and nothing.

Those are all Amazon affiliate links that I put on the page. I earn Amazon affiliate commission on those and other purchases made by my audience.

Well, I can say the same thing. I’ve built a brand called shopbot for the past 18 years. I’ve made north of $100,000 in Amazon affiliate commission on that business.

I think you missed the boat also.. Back then, generically speaking, all we had was .com, now there is .org, .edu, .info, etc.. Basically saying that have found a way around your .com site and now have no reason to want to own it.

Here's the other thing that does not help.

Ebay is global.

For them to run as shopbot.com they'll also need to buy shopbot.au (taken), shopbot.ca (taken), shopbot.co.uk (taken), shopbot.de (taken), shopbot.fr (taken) etc.....

You get the point, it's not just your price which we know is north of $1M, it's everyone else that owns shopbot.xxx that's going to want big bucks when ebay comes knocking.

And all you need is one hold out to **** the deal for everyone.

If ebay can't get them all, they won't take any.

Very valid point.

^^^^ I would have too. Though I have no clue what the $ amounts were, my former corporation spent untold millions on acquiring domain names, etc., but I doubt it even came close to that for a single one....and they had DEEP pockets too....Billion $ settlements don't phase them. And a legal team on their side that's absolutely second to none....

Motion and Goliath...

Best of luck Richard....I hope you get 5 mil :)!

edited....I should have read the rest of the thread first...I'm just repeating others'...

I would be very carful.
If someone registers ShopBot as a trademark or a company or something like that they might take the domain away from you?

It had to be said you should have taken the million but that is all hindsight.

If it was me I would be asking myself did I register the name/domaine properly?

I would challenge the new company and see if they are aware that you had the original name(hopefully properly registered).

If so then you could state that you are taking legal action.

See what they say. If they get huffy find a hungry lawyer and put a cap on how much legal fees you want to put out.

It is worth a shot! Keep us updated...:)

LOL, will someone please give me $10 for this domain name?

Guy, there's no way I'm going down that route. I've always made it a point to avoid legal matters in my life.

Imagine if you had taken the $1M and invested it in eBay stock.

I hate to see you looooose everything so i'll do the ten bux, just for charities sake.
Please tell me where to send the post-dated third-party generic counter check ;)

There is no point to that.

Ebay is using shopbot as a subdomain, not a top level domain.

In the modern age the date a .com domain was registered constitutes evidence of Mark ownership

It’s not the only test, but it’s one of them, a strong one

Maybe trademark shopbot
eBay is infringing on that mark

Dear Sir,

I am very interested in your item. It will fit my needs greatly. I am unfortunately traveling and have no means to communicate further so I will have my agent contact your directly. I will pay you $25 for your item, and will have my agent arrange a shipper. Please assist the shipper in picking up your item, and you may keep the extra $15 for your time and trouble.

Thank you Sir!