We have to admit, this particular brand of domain squatting could be an intriguing business model.
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Each deal is different depending on the domain name brand, your team, your stage and resources, the market opportunity, and personal objectives.
In addition to the aforementioned .spreadbetting, there were some big name brands submitting applications to claim their brand name as their domain such as Staples, State Farm, Apple and Cadillac.
And in the current system of nearly 300 top-level domain names, brand owners must monitor, register, and enforce their trademarks across a wide spectrum of online real estate.
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The domain name should align with the brand, the trade mark you can get and the image you are projecting.
Those expenses are largely covered by a smattering of ads from movie studios, gaming companies, Web domain registrars and the occasional big brand such as Autodesk.
"For companies looking to expand throughout Africa, it's a good way of creating a brand identity, " he said of the potential domain.
This could be great news for any industry or brand, according to Ben Crawford, CEO of global domain name registry CentralNic, but with one large caveat: they must be nimble.
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"Today people are buying a lot of domain names as an advertising tool, rather than as a brand name for their Web site, " says Bentley.
The most cutting-edge B2B and B2C brands are placing bets on on-domain, owned, social media hubs where they can control the brand, guide the experience, and drive real business outcomes.
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To find under-monetized domain names, think of characteristics that give domain names inherent value (usage, memorability, industry-relevance, brand-able etc.) .
In either case, NSI recognizes the user as the direct owner of the domain name, which can be used to establish a company's online brand through URLs and e-mail addresses.
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While brand-based and generic TLDs are fascinating in terms of their potential to shake-up domain name giants and revolutionize online branding, only a handful of them will possess staying power.
Some 90% of brand-owners' applications are driven by anxiety, not optimism, says Josh Bourne of the Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse, an industry group.
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