Hong Kong based 9GAG Limited, operators of meme heaven 9GAG, have filed for the registration of the mark HOLDERS.COM at the USPTO.
The company owns the domain Holders.com, which plans to develop into yet another meme-sharing paradise.
The intend-to-use application was filed for the following products and services, related to Web3, NFT, and crypto (partial list follows:)
- Downloadable software for providing access to information related to Web3; Downloadable software for providing access to users to post and view ratings, guides, comments, reviews and recommendations related to Web3; Downloadable software for providing access to a searchable database related to Web3; Downloadable software for use in electronically buying, selling, receiving, sending, storing, trading, and processing transactions to and related to Web3; Downloadable software for downloading, receiving, sending, and storing software, data, links, video files, and image files from the internet; Downloadable software for providing access to digital marketplaces and auctions; Downloadable software for the collection, editing, organizing, modifying, bookmarking, transmission, storage and sharing of data and information related to Web3; Downloadable software which facilitates online services for social networking, building social networking applications and for allowing data retrieval, upload, download, access and management; Downloadable software for modifying the appearance and enabling transmission of images, audio-visual and video content; Downloadable software for managing and validating data, information and transactions using blockchain-based smart contracts.
- Administration of a Customer Loyalty Program services that featuring rewards in the form of goods and services, digital assets, digital tokens, crypto-tokens, utility tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), digital collectibles, crypto-collectibles, cryptocurrencies, digital currencies and virtual currencies; Online retail store services featuring virtual goods, digital content, non-fungible tokens used with blockchain technology to represent a collectible item; Providing information for others and offers the exchange of Information related to Web3, available electronically via website, computer networks and global information networks; Providing online services for users to post and view ratings, guides, comments, reviews and recommendations related to Web3; Providing online subscription services, namely, arranging subscriptions of the online publications of others for the purpose of allowing individuals to subscribe and access content uploaded by members of the service for entertainment purposes; Providing an online searchable database featuring classified ad listings related to Web3; Providing user reviews, post ratings, guides, comments, reviews and recommendations related to Web3 for commercial purposes; Providing advertising and marketing services related to Social and Web3; Providing business consulting and information services by offering support, resources, strategy consulting, marketing and promotional services, funding, education and networking services to assist community members in building their businesses and growing their networks; Business management and business administration in the nature of market research, analysis, evaluation, assessment, comparison and consultancy related to Web3 and companies; Providing reviews and ratings of commercial goods and services; Preparation of statistical trade and business information; Database management, namely, updating, compilation, systematization, sorting, editing and adding of information into computer databases; Provision of an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of virtual goods, digital contents and collectibles related to Web3; Online network matching or connecting buyers and sellers of virtual goods, digital contents, and collectibles related to Web3; On-line business networking services.
- Issuance of tokens of value; Virtual currency dealing trading services; financial transaction services involving cryptocurrency, nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology, namely, providing secure commercial transactions and payment options.
Registered in 1997, the domain Holders.com appears to have changed hands in September 2022. It was listed for sale at Sedo with a $29,995 dollar price tag at some point, but there are no records of a sale in NameBio.
Cryptocurrency fans are familiar with the reference to “holders” or “holdlers” – the willpower to hold onto appreciating or depreciating digital assets over time, regardless of their value sway.
The domain Holders.com forwards to Memeland.com currently.
Applying for the registration of matching marks is an ongoing trend among owners of generic domain names, following the decision by SCOTUS on the Booking.com trademark application.
Since then, dozens of generic domain names have been applied to be registered as trademarks, inclusive of the TLD.
As of January 5th, 2021, BOOKING.COM is a registered trademark with the USPTO.
Will these applications become the new norm? Watch this video from NamesCon Online 2020.
