Domain Name Wire: “Marchex May Have $24M In Trademark Domains” (Marchex being the owner of one of the larger domain name portfolios):
“David Kesmodel’s expose on domain company Marchex (NASD: MCHX) continues to dig up dirt. After discovering that the company was monetizing a number of trademark typos through its parking program, Kesmodel has now uncovered a number of potentially trademark-infringing domains that the company actually owns. These include ibmlaptops.com, ibestbuy.com, chasemortgagega.com, cheapdisneytickets.com and carnivalsinglescruises.com.”
With regard to CHEAPDISNEYTICKETS.COM, I note in passing that there was a UDRP proceeding, Six Continents Hotels, Inc. v. Larry Goodwyn, in which CHEAP-HOLIDAY-INN-HOTELS-ACCOMODATIONS.COM was found to fairly describe a third party’s use of the HOLIDAY INN mark, but see Disney Enterprise v. McSherry dba Florida Vacation Homes (DISNEYVACATIONVILLAS.COM registered in bad faith as defendant competed with Disney).