Would you pay $70,000 for these names?
The domain name registrar OnlineNic has told a court that someone is interested in buying a portfolio of 685 domains from it for $70,000. It says that this money could be used to pay the Special Master in a lawsuit with Facebook.
Facebook’s attorney is questioning that number and thinks it’s “suspiciously low” for the portfolio of domain names. He suggests that it’s not an arms-length transaction.
In a court filing (pdf), attorney David Steele explains that GoDaddy’s valuation tool values a collection of just 27 of the domains between $128,000 and $164,000. He notes that “Plaintiffs recognize the limitations of these online appraisals” but still thinks it shows that the portfolio is being sold below value.
I’ve skimmed through the list of 685 domains, and I have trouble understanding how the wholesale value is even $70,000. There are some good four letter .com domains and a handful of others that look OK. But I wouldn’t hand registered more than three-quarters of these domain names.
I’m curious what you think. Take a look at this portfolio (pdf) and comment on what you think it’s worth.
