I don't see how studbotique.com (a mispelling registered in July) or the correct spelling studboutique.com (only registered on Nov 23rd) have any protective qualities for the brand stud.com.
I tend to agree, unless he somehow has boutique theme marketing in mind.
I know Rick is not fond of new extensions (kind of an understatement
) but there is one word in the .boutique extension that $4 will buy for first year (if you choose your registrar carefully) that I would have thought would be a worthwhile defensive move. I was tempted, but could not feel right about owning it, so did not register it, so it is still there for the taking, should Rick be following this thread. Unfortunately .boutique get more expensive after the discounted first year.
I think using his considerable online presence to suggest parts of the model, rather than just wait and deliver it all at once, has been brilliant social marketing.
It is to be subscription model, but one can list one if one helps with promotion on social media, which is also smart I think.
The name stud does not appeal to me, and I think it will turn away some potential clients, but will be memorable in the minds of others. Would be interesting to see what people in the naming and branding field, outside domains, have to say.
Bob