When Oversee dot net purchased Snapnames for $35 Million on May 31st this year, it looked like a good investment. A couple of days ago, on September 24th, one could find that Network Solutions has just filed to protect the trademark (Standard Character Mark) of NameJet, which is a service that will offer users the same service, like Snapnames. The NameJet description reads as follows: “on-line auction services featuring domain names; on-line auction services for businesses, consumers, domain name holders; on-line bidding services featuring domain names; on-line proxy bidding services”.

And here comes the gossip from the blogs: Network Solutions has a good reason to be angry at SnapNames, as they were not informed nor offered SnapNames back than. Since most of the value of Snapnames comes from expiring domains from Network Solutions this may cause some trouble now.

The domain name NameJet.com was purchased off of Afternic on september 10th for lousy $600.00 by someone called Tne123. Bloggers now believe that it was bought by Network Solutions. NameJet is currently parked and marked for sale at eNom. There is a good chance that Network Solutions wants to bring back NameJet as this option makes sense and is remote.

Jay Westerdal from domaintools even fantasizes about the rebirth of NameJet:

"I talked with a high level source at eNom and they had no idea what NameJet was. I would expect Network Solutions to make an announcement soon that all expiring domains inside Network Solutions will no longer Transfer-Fulfill through Snapnames.

Snapnames has a patient pending on what they do with Network Solutions, so I wonder if that will stop Network Solutions or if Network Solutions will fight the patent before it is finalized."

If we see the rebirth of NameJet happen, it could mean a magnificent change of powers and more competition in the domain snapping industry that maybe ruins Oversee`s investment SnapNames. On the other hand competition in a free market can only be good for the customers. It is highly likely that prices will drop or better service will be provided.