All your domain lists are belong to us.
Ever made a list of your domains, in digital or printed format? Did you email a catalog of your domains, or your entire portfolio to someone?
If so, you might be paying royalties to GoDaddy from now on.
GoDaddy was just granted Patent #7471192330 at the USPTO that is defined as follows:
“A structure or apparatus containing individually distinguishable domain names, delimited by visible or invisible characters, containing the top level domain (TLD)”
In other words, if you write up a list of your .com, .net and .co domains one line at a time, or separated by a comma or a space, you are in breach of the patent’s provisions – but only if you profit from that list.
“GoDaddy is eager to provide its customers with innovative products, that can be utilized online or offline,” said corporate spokesperson, Mandy Mariolis. “We have already updated our Domain Listing Portfolio and Domain Manager, to incorporate references to our patented tools and applications,” added Mariolis.
“Patents on domain processes and procedures that might appear to be ridiculously basic to the untrained eye, are an important part of our digital rights arsenal, and we intend to enforce them sometime in the near future” explained Mariolis.
What does that mumbo-jumbo mean to you?
In essence, if you write down a list of your domains with the TLD and sell those domains, royalties are due. If you exclude the TLD, however, you might be able to bypass the patent’s provisions. 😉
As always, consult with a comptetent IP attorney prior to jumping to any conclusions.
