Reglikedomain industry desk

And fall of Pool.com — The rise

A fresh article in The Ottawa Citizen features Pool.com and the challenges it faces.

The article covers Pool.com and its rise from nowhere in 2003. But it also discusses a grave threat to its business — and one I’ve mentioned numerous times — both exclusive drop agreements with registrars and VeriSign’s potential to take over the entire drop business. The article quotes a domainer suggesting that it’s not Pool’s fault that it is falling by the wayside. But it has had ample opportunity to enter into exclusive agreements with registrars just like its competition. Businesses need to change with the times. In Pool’s defense, the firm’s founder has innovated many times in the past.

The article suggests that Pool rakes in regarding $14M a year from expired domains. This is ahead of it splits its revenue with the registrars that actually grab the domains.

I highly recommend reading the article as it discusses a day in the life of Pool.com and the excitement that surrounds the drop.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

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