geodomain

The term geodomain refers to domain names that are exact matches[http://www.domainsherpa.com/john-colascione-longisland/ From Brandable to Exact-Match Geo Domain Making $1.5M Per Year – With John Colascione] in spelling to geographic locations, such as cities and countries. They are unrelated to the ccTLDs such as the .us country code domain. Examples of geodomains are Atlanta.com, LosAngeles.com, Texas.com and LongIsland.com. Since geographical names are limited in number, and have good name recognition, geodomains are valuable, with the .com extension valued the most. Geodomains tend to provide a virtual representation of the locations they serve—for example, Hawaii.com is heavily tourism focused, while Syracuse.com and Madison.com have more local content. Collectively, geographic domain names are estimated to represent approximately over 500 million dollars a year in gross hotel bookings alone. {{Citation needed|reason=according to who?|date=August 2017}}

Seizure of France.com

Unlike United States law, GEO domains and trademark rights may be treated differently around the world as in 2018 the European Country of France successfully seized France.com from its owner, a Miami, Florida resident,[http://www.wlrn.org/post/france-seized-francecom-miami-man-suing-get-it-back France Seized France.com. This Miami Man Is Suing To Get It Back] who according to a lawsuit filed in California[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/world/europe/france-lawsuit-website.html This Man Is Taking France to Court to Win Back France.com] had lawfully owned and used the domain name in commerce since 1994. This was an unprecedented occurrence where the registrar, Network Solutions (Web.com), was intimidated by a French Court Order, despite the lack of jurisdiction, and transferred the domain name to the complainant without notifying the owner of France.com, Jean-Noel Frydman, who is suing and will likely take years to sort out.[https://www.strategicrevenue.com/insane-france-seizes-geographic-domain-name-france-com-with-help-from-web-com/ Insane: France Seizes Geographic Domain Name France.com with Help from Web.com]

Industry conferences

In 2008 the GeoDomain Expo was held in Chicago from July 10–12.[http://www.dnjournal.com/events/2008/geodomainexpo.htm 2008 GeoDomain expo coverage story]
In 2010 the GeoDomain Expo was held in New Orleans from April 28-30[http://www.dnjournal.com/events/2010/geodomain-expo-review.htm 2010 GeoDomain expo coverage story]

Highest reported sales

Many geodomains were reported to be sold for high amounts. Among them:

Domain	data-sort-type="currency" \| Sale price	Sale date \|\| class="unsortable" \| Source
class="wikitable sortable"
China.com	$11,700,000	2013	[https://onlinedomain.com/2014/01/20/domain-name-news/china-com-sold-for-11-7-million-hongkong-com-also-sold/ China.com sold for $11.7 million – HongKong.com also sold]
Korea.com	$5,000,000	2000	[https://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-domain-names-2014-7#other-expensive-domain-names-not-listed-by-dnjournal-either-because-they-were-sold-prior-to-2003-or-other-assets-were-sold-with-the-domains-34 BusinessInsider.com.au]
California.com	$3,000,000	2019	[http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2019/dailyposts/20190123.htm Mark Thomas Closes Biggest GeoDomain Sale We've Ever Reported - California.com Goes for Millions]
England.com	$2,000,000	1999	[https://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-domain-names-2014-7#other-expensive-domain-names-not-listed-by-dnjournal-either-because-they-were-sold-prior-to-2003-or-other-assets-were-sold-with-the-domains-34 BusinessInsider.com.au]
Russia.com	$1,500,000	2009	[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091130005754/en/Sedo-Brokers-Industry's-Largest-Geo-Domain-Sale Sedo Brokers Industry's Second Largest Geo Domain Sale Russia.com Sold for $1.5 Million by Leading Geo Domain Developer Paley Media]
Melbourne.com	$700,000	2007	[https://www.news.com.au/technology/high-profile-australian-web-domains-up-for-sale/news-story/8822c9e567ebea518a3d2800ed328eff High-profile Australian web domains up for sale]
Macau.com	$550,000	2006	[https://domainnamewire.com/2006/02/08/macaucom-sells-for-550000/ Macau.com sells for $550,000]
NewZealand.com	$500,000	2003	[http://www.agip.com/news.aspx?id=363&lang=en New Zealand Government Pays $500,000 for newzealand.com]
Longisland.com	$370,000	2010	[https://www.newsday.com/business/commack-company-owns-longisland-com-domain-name-1.1885381 Commack company owns longisland.com domain name]
\| Pensacola.com	$150,000	2018	[https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2019/03/07/commissioner-jeff-bergosh-raises-questions-improper-spending-visit-pensacola/3093500002/ Herrholz owned Pensacola.com domain name]

References

External links

[https://www.thedomains.com/2012/10/20/the-future-of-geo-domains-chicago-com-makes-125k-in-1st-year-of-selling-subdomains-email-addresses/ The Future Of Geo Domains: Chicago.com Makes $125K In 1st Year Of Selling SubDomains & Email Addresses]
[http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/060116thompson/ City dot-coms still waiting to strike it rich article]

Category:Domain Name System