Stealth venture files trademark application indicating new domain name venture.
This past weekend we learned that four domain name industry vets, including eNom founder Paul Stahura, were forming a new company called Donuts Inc. The company raised about a million dollars of investment. Although the company is in stealth mode, the players involved make me think the four are starting a venture related to new top level domain names.
A trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office confirms that the company will be going after the domain name market — but doesn’t clarify that it will be for new top level domain names.
Donuts Inc. Executive Vice President Jonathon Nevett filed a trademark application on May 1 for “Donuts” for “Domain name registration services; Registration of domain names for identification of users on a global computer network”.
My money is still on new top level domain names.
Jon says
I have no idea why so many domain industry insiders are jumping on new TLDs bandwagon. It is very obvious there is no real need for new TLDs, therefore there will be very little money to be made there. If you are smart and you understand internet, there is so much more money in things like lead generation, internet marketing in general, building real businesses on your best .coms, etc…
Hal Meyer says
Agreed. Is there any major advantage in branding with the new TLDs? It’s not obvious.
DomainersChoice says
.Donuts does anyone really needs ths ? I cannot see any use for it.
Tag says
Hmm, Maybe these guys really ARE smart and DO understand internet. Clearly though, industry leaders and insiders ARE all jumping on. Maybe there is something you’re not seeing. You all may be looking at this from the single perspective of domain investors and not seeing all the different business models that may avail themselves.
One advantage to branding a new tld might be that you’ll be able to buy a good one for about 20 bucks.
They are probably not going for ‘.donuts’ TLD registry. The company name is probably symbolic. Donuts come in different varieties . . crullers, cake, glazed, maple bars, fritters. New gTLDs will come in different varieties too, for different tastes. I really like maple bars.
Domainer Extraordinaire says
Want success in new TLDs? Make sure the TLD is a typo of .com.