In 2008, Baidu Europe (baidu.eu) announced that it had the intention of selling its brand name and domain names due to the rapid growth of Baidu Inc (Nasdaq: BIDU), a very popular Chinese search engine. Baidu Inc. is now considered to be the world's second largest search engine, the leading search engine in China. 76 percent of online searches in China are done at Baidu.com, compared to only 19.8 percent at Google, according to Search Engine Land. There is a fierce competition between Baidu.com and Google for worldwide search engine domination that is only expected to get more heated.
Since announcing their intention to sell their domains and brand names, Baidu Europe (baidu.eu) has spoken with several parties, among which are a Brazilian-based Internet company, an American adult porn search engine and a Thai search engine called Buzz Technologies Inc. Interested parties can now make a bid on eBay during the next 10 days. The highest bidder on eBay will become the owner of 16 Baidu domain names (including baidu.eu, baidu.tv/tel and baidu.me) and a valid brand name Baidu in 27 European countries and the United States.
List of the 16 Baidu domain names up for sale:
baidu.eu, baidu.tv, baidu.me, baidu.tel, baidu.nl, baidu.be, baidu.ch, baidu.cz, baidu.lt, baidu.lu, baidu.ie, baidu.gr, baidu.lv, baidu.li, baidu.co.nl and baidu.co.ee. In addition to the 16 domain names, the Baidu Twitter account, various Baidu trademarks, trade names and brands will be sold. The entire package will be sold together and not separately.
About Baidu Europe:
Baidu Europe (baidu.eu) is an ICT company that was established in the Netherlands in 2003. Baidu Europe offers an extremely wide range of internet services and products. For more information, please visit http://www.baidu.eu.
Once the Baidu Europe (baidu.eu) has sold their domain names, they will continue to do business with their new domain name www.icteurope.eu.
Please see the eBay auction for the full description and terms to this sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170418082483&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123
Media Contact:
Peter Ufkes
Baidu Europe
Phone:+31 52 56 9249
E-mail: press@baidu.eu
###