*** Microsoft buys MSN.ru for $1mln ***

[DNP]

Microsoft Russia bought the MSN.ru domain. Experts say the deal might have cost $1mln.

The MSN.ru domain name registered about 8 years ago (according to the WhoIs database on 2003.03.17) was acquired by Microsoft’s Russian department.

Until recently the domain belonged to Roman Elkhadjiev. In 2000 he registered the domain for a company specializing at software development for managing websites, JSC MSN.ru. Mr. Elkhadjiev decoded the name as Merchant Support Network. In some time the company closed and the domain was put up for sale in June 2006.

The highest price offered for the Russian MSN was $350 thousand. However, the deal didn’t take place. In different times redirect links were present on the site, although most of them were dedicated to Mr. Elkhajiev and his projects. Experts believe Mr. Elkhadjiev managed to considerably improve his incomes. “Considering the fact that trademark interests are touched here, the sum might have been far higher”, said Oleg Savtsov, RBC SOFT Deputy Director General.

Microsoft Russia office has confirmed the acquisition, however couldn’t mention the exact price for it. “MSN is getting more and more popular in Russia, and this is very important for Microsoft Russia”, said Petr Suzdalev, Microsoft Russia spokesman. "We will undoubtedly continue developing MSN.ru”. In March 2007 Microsoft Russia appointed new director general of the Windows Live and MSN division. The company announced then it intended to boost its share in Runet.

Until now one of Runet’s most expensive domains was vodka.ru, bought for about $1mln. In the internet’s foreign sector leading are Sex.com ($12mln), Business.com ($7,5mln), Diamond.com ($7,5mln), and vodka.com ($3mln). Experts questioned by CNews say MSN.ru’s cost depends on how much the acquirer needed it and how persistent the offeror was. Thus, $1mln seems to be quite a realistic price for the domain, although considerably overestimated.

Source: http://eng.cnews.ru/news/top/indexEn...7/04/10/244997

[Focus]

1 milly large? I'm suprised they did'nt just make him disappear!

[Acro]

That buys 1/3 of the vodka.com supplies

[DNP]

msnvodka.com - 4M? LOL

[DomainMagnate]

very interesting, thanks!
btw, there're still a bunch of available 3 letter .ru domains

[Ian]

I doubt the source of the story but again you never know. Maybe microsoftlegal can shed some light on why MSN didn't just use its financial muscle (like always) to get the name for cheap {free}.

[DNP]

btw, there're still a bunch of available 3 letter .ru domains

No, they are all taken by few ppl who are trying to sell them to each other. LOL

[GAMEFINEST]

Bill gates wipes his behind with one million dolllllaz

[Focus]

I spent about a milly or two today

[DNP]

I spent about a milly or two today

hm, I did'n know you work for BG, Chris ...

[Darren06]

He didn't pursue legal because its Russia. Probably would have to bribe the .ru registry.

[Banned: AlienGG]

very interesting, thanks!
btw, there're still a bunch of available 3 letter .ru domains

but there is only 1 microsoft

He didn't pursue legal because its Russia. Probably would have to bribe the .ru registry.

They learnt from Google - Spent bunch on legal battle and still paid 1 mil to get google.cn.

[arpitgosai]

Lucky guy to get $1M.

[katherine]

He didn't pursue legal because its Russia. Probably would have to bribe the .ru registry.

It's very difficult to enforce TM in Russia, especially when domains are involved. And the guy has owned the domain for a long time, difficult to prove TM violations if any.