The owners of the Web site Ebola.com have scored a big payday with the outbreak of the epidemic, selling the domain for more than $200,000 in cash and stock.
The deal highlights the rewards and risk of industry trading and speculating in domain names that see high interest following news events.
According to a securities filing, the buyer was a Russian-registered firm called Weed Growth Fund, previously known as Ovation Research.
The October 20 filing said the price was $50,000 cash and 19,192 shares of Cannabis Sativa worth close to $170,000, which promotes medical uses for marijuana.
The reasons for the sale were not clear but Cannabis Sativa chief and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson has publicly said he thinks marijuana may be used to treat the deadly disease.
The seller was Nevada-based Blue String Ventures, which describes itself as an “Internet real estate investment and branding” company.
“If you are looking for a great name for your company, there’s an excellent chance we can help,” the company says on its Web site.
Some of its holdings have included Africanmango.com, Fukushima.com and RaspberryKetones.com.
The Ebola.com website contains articles offering facts and frequently asked questions about the disease, which has infected almost 10,000 people worldwide, killing nearly 4,900.