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Do .com.au domain need to be used?

ttfan

Top Contributor
There are a few domains of brands that are highly related to my industry. Unfortunately another business owns it, but they don't use it at all, as the domain does not even resolve. They operate in the same industry too.

Is it allowed to hold on to this without using it?
 

James

Top Contributor
If they are in the same business niche and the website is not yet live they could be developing it. They were first to acquire the domain so in reality they own the domain. If you are really keen to get the domain possibly offer them a price to buy it.
 

ttfan

Top Contributor
Thank you!

They've had the domain for years, and have never used it. I doubt they're even aware it should at least be re-directed to their website.
 

James

Top Contributor
It seems very unfair!

I can buy a waterfront property and have the block of land sitting un-used for 20 years and never develop it whilst the whole street can be developed at the same time. Is this unfair? It is business.

If you are not first to buy something what makes you think you have claim to it?
 

findtim

Top Contributor
yes , good arguments joel and james

I don't think there is a covenant on domains like there can be on a block of land eg: must build within 5 years, must be X size house.

I personally don't think you need to build a site on a domain you own, surely now after so many years we should accept it is a first come first served.

"lack of use" isn't an issue as I consider parking lack of use renamed as monetisation.

tim
 

Showbiz

Member
Hi there ttfan,
As Joel mentioned earlier. People often use their domain name purely for email. It's a way of having a nice email address. Often the site is developed at a later date. Lots goes on behind the scenes with domain names...and its not all bad mate!

JJ
 

ttfan

Top Contributor
Yes, fair enough, thanks guys!
I guess it just bugs me that I know of some cases where it's definitely not used at all, and I could put it to good use.
 

Showbiz

Member
Its great that you are motivated to make use of good resources like domain names. What area are you really interested in? You sound like you could be a good developer.
 

findtim

Top Contributor
true story:

a retired friend of mine buys " gum tree burls" ( google images it)
http://www.grantdixonphotography.com.au/galleries/image.php?id=175&gid=26

he has a heap of them and carves them into bowls, chairs, tables, etc

he has no time limit on what he does, just thinks about them, looks at them, then starts to carve them, and maybe one day they will be a beautiful piece of work.

he has mates that do the same, they swap burls, sell burls, swap ideas, give advice and some just never get touched.

that's how i generally think of domains

tim
 

vr101

Regular Member
I guess it depends on what your definition of used is .. but I guess you can register a domain simply to protect your brand, I guess that is a use. Plus .. Also, some domains had a particular use at some stage, but now they are just registered to the user, id hate to think if we decided to do a use or lose policy with au domains.
 

vr101

Regular Member
i think we actually do, thats why most park domains as it is " in use"

tim
Right ... so having the domain name parked on a page can be classified as being used, so long as the website doesn't have a for sale ad or something like that. Am i getting it right?
 

eBranding.com.au

Top Contributor
Right ... so having the domain name parked on a page can be classified as being used, so long as the website doesn't have a for sale ad or something like that. Am i getting it right?
You're not too far off ;) It's actually ok to have 'for sale' or 'make offer' shown on the page.

I wrote some articles on domainer.com.au not long ago that may be helpful:
http://www.domainer.com.au/monetisation-101-part-1-au-policies/
http://www.domainer.com.au/monetisation-101-part-2-parking/
 

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