A new twist emerges in the 'JioHotstar' name game. A techie who demanded ₹1 crore for the domain name "JioHotstar" has now sold it to a Dubai-based kids' content company. He wanted to fund his higher education. The individual had initially attempted to negotiate with Reliance Industries, after securing the domain name in a bid to capitalize on the merger between JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. However, after Reliance threatened legal action, the techie opted to sell the domain to an overseas buyer instead.
The Dubai-based company, which focuses on children’s content and entertainment, purchased the domain as part of its broader digital strategy, potentially leveraging the popular "Jio" and "Hotstar" names in a non-competitive market space.
This incident highlights the challenges companies face in securing domain names and protecting their intellectual property, especially in highly anticipated mergers or business partnerships. Domain squatting — registering or using a domain name with the intent to profit from a trademark owned by someone else — remains a legal gray area in many jurisdictions. Reliance's swift reaction to the techie's demand underscores the significance of this domain in their future plans following the JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar merger.
The situation has sparked conversations about cyber law enforcement and the measures companies must take to safeguard their brands from opportunistic moves by individuals aiming to cash in on high-profile business developments.
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