Pool.com offers $25k gTLD digital archery service
Domain name drop-catcher Pool.com hopes to make a quick buck out of ICANN’s new generic top-level domain application batching process.
The company has announced a Digital Archery Engine service, which it says could help new gTLD applicants get their applications near the top of the evaluation queue.
It’s based on Pool’s experience catching expiring names to auction, and ICANN’s controversial “digital archery” method of allocating applications into batches for processing.
Getting into the first batch of 500 applications is expected to knock at least five months off the wait time for new gTLD approval, delegation and launch. For many applicants, this time-to-market advantage is important.
But it’s not cheap. If Pool gets your application into the first batch it will set you back $25,000. If you’re in the top 50% of applications, the price tag is $10,000. Anything slower is free.
I hope it is not mean-spirited to point out that anyone could create their own digital archery product. Just sign people up, push a button on your keyboard round about the time of the target (maybe you could do it on your iPhone over drinks) and if you happen to get close, you win $25,000. If not, you had something to talk about at the bar.
Unless I see something about how this is done, or what kind of timing can be guaranteed or even estimated, I can’t see how you aren’t just as well off doing it yourself with your index finger and a good clock.
First .music and now this…Antony, please stop stealing other people’s business ideas…even if it is just for internet lolz 🙂