The domain sex.com ranks among the most expensive domains in the world. It was sold for € 13 million. In 2010, domain price was estimated even to $ 250 million (it would also be a ten IT tendrík Slovakia paid). This price in domain world often hides interesting story. This case is not different.
According to many sources, domain sex.com story began in 1994. It was registered by Gary Kremen, who is also the owner of the biggest online dating site match.com. This wasn’t only start of history of this domain, but also start one of the most watched disputes in the history of world domains.
It did not take long and in 1995 domain was “captured ” by speculator named Stephen M. Cohen, who also had a hand in various other controversial cases. Through a series of strange practices, the domain sex.com became his property, since certain employee of Network Solutions (the first sex.com domain registrar) assigned this domain to Cohen. This started a series of unexpected situations. Domain was earning good money for Kremen so when he found out he immediately called to Cohen and told him that he would sued for this. He snubbed him, however, saying that the domain is already his.
After a six year on court, case was finally closed. Court referred domain back to Kremen and at the same time compensation 65 million euros that should be paid by Cohen. Cohen, of course, refused to pay amount and fled abroad outside the jurisdiction of the United States and the majority of its assets. (Incidentally, the lawyer who represented Kremen, sued him and also wanted compensation for a winning in this dispute over the domain. Lawyer published in 2008 a book about whole dispute.)
Domain was eventually bought by Escom LLC in 2006. However for alleged bankruptcy Escom had to sell this domain four years later at auction for $ 11.5 million. Page was during this period usually referred as “domain parking”, but still earning good money. Sex.com was re-launched in May 2012. Since then, its marketing presenting page as a Pinterest for porn. The domain has succes and profit just for it’s name. It needs no advertising.
What data is behind domain today? 20 people are caring about page, while page recorded nearly 2 million visits per day. This is a pretty decent number,don’t you say? However, the problem has not left site even today and now site once again faces a relatively new action for copyright infringement. Ugh, they do not have it easily.
PS: People from domains world whisper that site is going to redesign, so webdesigners, be sure to sign up!
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