Penthouse Global Media Inc. (PGMI) acquired Friend Finder Networks‘ adult-themed, intellectual property assets for $6.5 million dollars, including Penthouse.
The deal closed in March 2016 and included more than 1,000 adult domain names, eight of which were allegedly transferred to the new entity “by accident.”
The list of domains includes HornyWife.com and BookOfSex.com, that generate significant adult traffic.
According to FriendFinder attorney Robert W. Whetzel:
“The stock purchase agreement makes clear in the definition of intellectual property that domains are referred to in the document as a species of property. The domain registration information points overwhelmingly to the domains being the property of FriendFinder.”
Once these domains were transferred and the alleged mistake was discovered, FriendFinder filed a lawsuit in June 2016.
The lawsuit is seeking the return of eight domains that drive significant traffic to the FriendFinder dating and webcam platforms. While a court order kept the situation stable and the sites redirecting to their original online destinations, the domains in question remain under the control of PGMI.
For more information, visit Law360.com.
