Domain squatters

[AtW]

I could agree to some form of control, but I do not see what is wrong with speculative purchasing of these names.

Consumer interests are harmed - such domains that do not do anything get traffic, but consumer gets nothing out of it only waste of time. Do you think a big shopping mall in the UK would allow almost all of its real estate to be bought by external company that will not open shops, but put up signs saying that will sub-let them for a lot more money? No chance.

I don't mind if some domain I want is taken by some guy who may make of it something less great than I would have had, that's fine. But I do mind when a few companies bought up 10 mln domain en masse to artificially restrict supply of domains to ensure prices for them are much higher than they should cost. Heck, if domains are so valuable then make sure they are auctioned by registar, but don't let companies squat on millions of domains to artificially limit supply of domains, this is illegal in any real life economy - no one will allow Marks and Spenser buy all shop units in mall and close them down.

[expat]

...
As .co.uk are supposed to be for UK businesses then maybe companies house and the tax man should be chasing registered name holders or have th epower to remove them from non UK businesses.

I too think these people are scum but they have paid for these names on the off chance that somebody will want to buy them. If nobody buys them then they are worthless....

Indeed. If you don't want it at that price, don't buy it. Don't just complain that it's not "fair".

BTW if you have a Ltd Co, XXXXX Ltd, then only you can register XXXXX.ltd.uk. That is the domain that is reserved for your company.

[AtW]

Indeed. If you don't want it at that price, don't buy it. Don't just complain that it's not "fair".

This only applies to competitive market place, not monopoly/oligopoly pricing: all such entities have price controls on them, same should be applied to a handful of companies that own millions of domains for resale - the resale price should be regulated in such cases, say 100% marging on $10 buy price is acceptable.

This would of course lead that those companies will no longer have business model and guess what - tax on domains will disappear and those who actually put such domains to good use will not have to factor in this tax into sell price of services and goods to genuine businesses and consumers.

[expat]

Consumer interests are harmed - such domains that do not do anything get traffic, but consumer gets nothing out of it only waste of time. no one will allow Marks and Spenser buy all shop units in mall and close them down.

General Motors and Standard Oil did club together to buy the Los Angeles public transport system, then closed it down.

Just ask Roger Rabbit if you don't believe me.

[Clog II The Avenger]

limit supply of domains, this is illegal in any real life economy - no one will allow Marks and Spenser buy all shop units in mall and close them down.

Humm...
It does go on. Many empty shops are bought up or leased by large companies. Tesco is one of the biggest perpetrators. Not only do they buy up land out of town to prevent other supermarkets opening they also buy up small local shops to remove competition from Tesco Metro. There was one can near by my home and the owner were harassed for three years before selling up.

Another practice is to keep high street rents high. The rental value is “The Rack Rent” being the based on the highest rent per square feet on the High Street. Property owners will lease their own property at high rental and leave other shops empty so they can extract the maximum out of the current Leaseholders.

Humm....

[AtW]

General Motors and Standard Oil did club together to buy the Los Angeles public transport system, then closed it down.

Well, at least they make cheap cars - if those scumbag squatters were selling good domains for $50 rather than $10, then its fair play - but at (what appears to be raising minimum because they buy more and more junk domains so have to charge more per sale to break even) $500+ its rather steep to buy half a decent name for a hobby project - its all business you know, and you can't fking expect Joe Smith to pay $500 for something (that's not antique) that had original price of $10.

Case in points - scalpers who buy tickets to concerts or World Cups and then resell them for much more than they worse, is this legit business to? Fk no, I think there are even laws in this country against that kind of crap, same should be applied to domain names.

[Dalek Supreme]

no one will allow Marks and Spenser buy all shop units in mall and close them down.

This does, in fact, happen all the time. Most commonly with supermarkets though. Tesco, for instance, recently signed a deal with some Norfolk council in which they agreed that only Tesco could build supermarkets within its area of responsibility.

[AtW]

This does, in fact, happen all the time.

I am talking about shopping malls like Bluewater or Bull Ring or Merry Hill - no single or double or triple company can buy all of it and then keep it closed with prices for remaining few units artificially up.

Tesco is subject to good scrutiny and if they started opening shops that are half closed but prices for good doubled to make up for it then this would not have been tolerated.

[The Lone Gunman]

I am talking about shopping malls like Bluewater or Bull Ring or Merry Hill - no single or double or triple company can buy all of it and then keep it closed with prices for remaining few units artificially up.

Tesco is subject to good scrutiny and if they started opening shops that are half closed but prices for good doubled to make up for it then this would not have been tolerated.

The mall owners would not give a toss as long as all rents were paid. The prchasers would be stupid though. People just wouldnt go.
But this is a side issue and arguing hypotheticals is pointless and distracting.

Ticket touts are scum too but they are dealing in a finite comodity. These days any sensible concert promoter should be selling their tickets on ebay. Let the market decide the value.

Domain squatters are not limiting the supply of domain names. You can buy from them. They are only limiting the availability of certain names.
Much as it makes good business sence to have a corporate image it is not a "must" to have matching company name and domain name.

Let them squat. Get creative and stop moaning.

[Pondlife]

Let them squat. Get creative and stop moaning.

How hard can it be. Come up with a business name with a bit of originality and you'll win all round. Easy to remember and the domain name will/should be available. If not think of something else.