The asset
Four letters. One universal word.
FTBL is the phonetic consonant abbreviation of the word "Football". The human brain rebuilds the full word automatically, in under 200 milliseconds, in every language that uses the term, from English to Portuguese, from German to Japanese. No learning curve, no risk of confusion: instant reading.
Combined with the absolute scarcity of a 4-letter domain on the French national extension (.fr), this property creates a digital asset with no strategic equivalent on the French-speaking market. For sports brands, equipment makers, leagues or specialised media, FTBL.fr is brand infrastructure, not just a domain name.
Technical characteristics
An extremely rare QR property.
The URL https://ftbl.fr is 15 characters in total. That length generates a QR code in Version 1 of the ISO/IEC 18004 standard, the lowest density possible (21×21 modules). At equal print quality, a Version 1 QR carries ~38% further than a Version 3 QR (standard marketing campaign URL, 38 characters) and ~76% further than a UTM-tracked URL.
In practice: on a stadium jumbotron (~5 m tall), an FTBL.fr QR is scannable up to row 35. A standard URL drops off at row 22. On 4×3 DOOH (metro exit), 18 m of range versus 13 m. On the inside label of a shirt, optimal reading at 30 cm even through folds.
Legal status
Clear ownership, free of any dispute.
The FTBL.fr domain has been held directly by Emmanuel Parrou since its registration with Hostinger. AFNIC (the French registry for the .fr zone) attests to the regularity of the registration and of any transfer.
An INPI search (the French trademark office) confirms the absence of any competing registered trademark on the "FTBL" radical in the relevant classes (28 sporting goods, 35 advertising/brand services, 41 sports services). No UDRP (WIPO) or SYRELI (AFNIC) proceeding has ever been opened against the domain.
A full INPI attestation, together with a 12-month WHOIS history, is provided to qualified buyers under a non-disclosure agreement.
Transfer process
Four supervised steps.
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01
Qualified first contact
Email or phone. Reply within 48 business hours. No automated pitch. The initial exchange covers your organisation, the intended use and your target calendar.
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02
Due diligence
Under NDA, transmission of the full file: INPI attestation, WHOIS history, AFNIC status, technical QR metrics, trademark audit. Your counsel can request the attestations directly.
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03
Escrow protection
Your choice: Escrow.com (the international standard for domain transactions, fees ~0.89% of the amount) or a law firm specialised in intellectual property (the French alternative for 6-figure-plus transactions). The escrow guarantees the atomic exchange of funds against the Auth-Info code.
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04
Technical transfer
Delivery of the AFNIC Auth-Info code to your registrar. Standard transfer time: 5 to 7 business days. Immediate activation under your control. No extended lock.