Which musicians own the best domain names? Here are six contenders for the best names in the music industry. If you spot any that are worthy of a mention that I’ve missed, please comment below.
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311.com
With just 1,000 three-number .COM names in existence, each one has become a valuable asset in its own right. Those domains that contain a double number could be considered to be even more valuable.
NameBio lists names such as 997.com, 399.com, and 899.com selling for mid to high six-figures a piece. Therefore, the band 311 (pronounced three eleven) may be able to lay claim to having the most valuable domain in the music industry.
Formed in 1988, the band has used the domain name since the 1990s. The band also owns the Twitter handle @311, making a nice pairing.
Rush.com
Canadian rock band Rush, formed in 1968, registered the Rush.com domain name in 1993. Unfortunately, the band’s ownership of the name has outlived the band’s tenure after band member Geddy Lee confirmed with Rolling Stone that the band would not be performing again. That confirmation comes a year after Rush’s drummer Neil Peart died.
U2.com
U2 is an Irish band consisting of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. Apparently, the name U2 was chosen for its ambiguity and open-ended interpretations. Despite such a short name, the band managed to acquire U2.com. Being Irish, U2 also owns U2.ie, which is forwarded to U2.com.
Two-character names are valuable assets that can trade for six-figures a piece easily. For example, U8.com sold at Uniregistry for $130,000 in 2015.
Prince.com
This is a name with some history. In August 2010, Prince.com sold for $235,000, but a few months later, the former owner filed a UDRP alleging the name was stolen before the sale. The complaint was denied.
Fast forward eight years, and the domain is at the center of another legal dispute, this time between Domain Capital and the estate of the musician Prince, who died in 2016.
The dispute was eventually settled, and Prince’s estate acquired the name. Terms of the acquisition were never disclosed. Regardless, Prince’s estate now owns and operates Prince.com.
Vai.com
Guitarist Steve Vai, the three-time Grammy award winner, started his music career in 1978. In 1995, he (or more likely his management or record label) registered Vai.com, and the guitarist has been using it ever since.
Incidentally, SteveVai.com is not owned by Steve Vai. As of writing, it’s parked at Uniregistry.
NIN.com
Which is easier to read and memorize? Nineinchnails.com or NIN.com? The band Nine Inch Nails obviously thought the latter was the better name, with the rock band setting up shop on NIN.com.
WAR.COM
Faith No More
fnm.com
they had a big mtv hit back in 1990