Thursday, January 5, 2017

A back-end registry was just sold

I am curious.

I just noticed the acquisition of the Open Registry group of companies (a back-end registry solution provider) by KeyDrive SA and Terrain.com SA for an amount of €3.75m. The Open Registry group of companies had previously been acquired by NCC Group plc in January 2015 for £14.9m.

Just for the note, the Trademark Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse for Intellectual Property S.A. "CHIP") is part of this acquisition.

Whatever can be though about the numbers, I wonder about something completely different:
  1. KeyDrive SA already owns a back-end registry, it is called KSregistry GmbH. KeyDrive SA also owns a .BRAND new gTLD solution providers such as BrandShelter and Thomsen Trampedach GmbH. And KeyDrive SA also owns a famous retail Registrar.
  2. Terrain.com's registrant is no more than the Chairman & Founder of the DCL Group which also owns a .BRAND new gTLD solution provider named eBrandServices as well as two registrars: a corporate one (eBrandServices) and retail one: EuroDNS.
Why would two competitors buy a back-end registry solution provider?

What you missed in yesterday's Newsletter:
  1. .MOBI Trades URS for Cash: time for a Board-Imposed Moratorium?
  2. The .BUZZ new gTLD is "in negotiation";
  3. HOT - Your .BRAND new gTLD Study;
  4. Football: missing a trick (new gTLDs);
  5. Domain industry thoughts for 2017;
  6. A new "tools page" for new gTLD applicants;
  7. New gTLDs: what if registration volumes break?
  8. GMO and Radix secure Chinese gTLD approval;
  9. Ashley Furniture chalks up huge URS win as RPMs come under the spotlight in 2017;
  10. ICANN Busy Proving IANA Transition Was A Terrible Mistake.

.BRAND new gTLD Reports are updated once a month: CLICK HERE !