The domain Ubuntu.org is in a DropCatch auction currently, and this fabulous keyword is being bid on by several domain bidders.
With three hours or so left until the auction’s end, 43 bidders have placed 56 bids. The current high bid is at $3,550 dollars from the DropCatch user “snapname.”
Ubuntu is a popular flavor of Linux, and the company operates from the domain Ubuntu.com.
They never owned Ubuntu.org, which was registered in 2002.
In the US, the Linux guys own a registered trademark for UBUNTU, registered in 2006 for several classes:
IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer operating system software and computer software for use in collaborative application development and language translations; downloadable publications, namely, magazines, newsletters, guides and manuals, relating to computers and computer programs; digital music downloadable from the Internet
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Providing educational training services relating to computer operating system software and computer software; entertainment services, namely, providing prerecorded music on-line via the Internet
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Consultancy services relating to computer hardware and computer software; [ providing on-line non-downloadable computer programs for use in collaborative application development and language translations; ] writing design, installation and maintenance of computer software for others; providing information relating to the design and use of computer software
So who dropped the domain name Ubuntu.org and why did they register it in the first place?
As it happens, the word “ubuntu” is an ancient African word from the Zulu language, meaning “humanity to others”. It also means “I am what I am because of who we all are.”
The previous owners of Ubuntu.org were a Catalan foundation and forum. Founded in Barcelona, Spain, Ubuntu.org presented information and news on social and political aspects of global life, encouraging activism.
It is not clear why they let the domain expire and drop.
I remember Symbian.com dropped and caught by Dropcatch.com. It was once the most popular smartphone OS bu Nokia.
Thomas – Very interesting, thank you for sharing! Looks like that OS has been discontinued, however.