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The Man Who Owns the Internet

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-a-way-to-make-a-living dept.

Tefen writes "CNN Money posted this story about Kevin Ham, who has made a fortune gobbling up lapsed domain names and has recently launched a lucrative business partnership with Cameroon, the country which controls the .cm TLD. Since 2000 he has quietly cobbled together a portfolio of some 300,000 domains that, combined with several other ventures, generate an estimated $70 million a year in revenue."

17 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. what!? by Neuropol · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can't believe you didn't use PWNS in the title of this story! I want my money back ;P !

  2. What? by spellraiser · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought this guy owned the Internet.

    --
    I hear there's rumors on the Slashdots
    1. Re:What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well then I will register OwnerOfTheInternet.cm

  3. Basement by zedturtle · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wonder if he's got a Dalek in his basement?

  4. Alternative headline by Zouden · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Ham Just As Bad As Spam"

    --
    "A week in the lab saves an hour in the library"
  5. Re:Having a bunch of domains == "owns the Internet by roger6106 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Having a bunch of domains = "owns the Internet"

    Now it does.

  6. Re:There are good examples. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Argghh! I'm a compulsive clicker you insensitive clod! Now what am I going to do with 8 pairs of wedding shoes! It's not like I can wear them to work, for heaven's sake they're Wedding Shoes!

  7. Re:Nope.... by glittalogik · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, Slashdot pwns the internet. Subtle distinction.

  8. Kevin Ham? Isn't he related to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Kevin Bacon

  9. Mmmmm, pork rinds... by DeathElk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is Kevin Ham related in some way to Kevin Bacon? I wonder if there's a Kevin Pork or a Kevin Prosciutto out there somewhere...

  10. Re:So the market sure is promoting innovation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    But delicious!

  11. Re:wtf-ness at its best by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    At MOST no companly should own more than 16,000.
    After all, 16k is enough for anybody!

  12. Re:SO FULL OF HATE FOR CYBERSQUATTERS by escay · · Score: 2, Funny
    I guess you are not the only hater. FTA:

    He once used a Vancouver post office box for domain-related mail -- until the day he opened a package that contained a note reading "You are a piece of s**t," accompanied by an actual piece of it.
    --
    My sig has been answered.
  13. Re:Having a bunch of domains == "owns the Internet by RealGrouchy · · Score: 5, Funny
    Sensational indeed.

    A far more Fair and Balanced headline would read:

    The Man Who Owns The Internet?

    - RG>
    --
    Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
  14. Re:So the market sure is promoting innovation by ethicalBob · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...Real-estate is generally bought, developed, and sold at a profit. Net good happens there.

    Clearly you have never lived in New York City :-)

    --
    Politics will sooner or later make fools of everybody... - Dick Armey
  15. Re:Bull SHIT. Kevin Ham is a Domain Squatting cunt by MightyMartian · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now when did Mel Gibson start posting here? How's it goin', Sugar Tits, eh?

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  16. Re:So the market sure is promoting innovation by timeOday · · Score: 2, Funny

    Speculators (real estate, stocks, commodities, etc.) may not necessarily *produce* anything, but they are a necessary part of any free market.
    Speculators are "necessary" only in the same way that spammers are "necessary" to email - an unavoidable and unfortunate side effect.