SarahPalin.com Lands on Afternic [Updated}
An auction for SarahPalin.com has started on Afternic, although the authenticity has not been verified.
An auction for SarahPalin.com has started on domain name aftermarket Afternic.com. The auction will end November 7 and is right now $501 with three bids.
Reglike was unable to confirm that the person who listed the domain for sale actually owns the domain name. The domain has a private whois record, but based on historical whois records and the nameserver it is owned by Peter Torkelson of Alaskan design firm Advanced Design. I called the Torkelson residence to verify but received voicemail. I also sent an email to Torkelson, but have yet to hear back. [Update 11/4/08: Afternic has deleted the auction and states the domain was not listed by the owner.]
A look at historical screenshots of the page show various polls regarding Sarah Palin and the election, along with a notice that the domain name was available for sale or lease.
Buying the domain name would carry a certain amount of risk depending on how it is used. I’m surprised Sarah Palin hasn’t filed a UDRP for the domain name, as it would certainly be valuable for her in future elections. The fact that it has been listed for sale probably gives her a good case for winning the domain name at arbitration.
