I have some vague recollection that the forum might have already been up and running, and then some member owned the rights to the FlyerTalk name, and donated it to Randy.

it is correct that, after Randy used the 'FlyerTalk' name/brand already for some time (months?), NJDavid had the idea (and did share that idea with Catman and I) to register the FlyerTalk 'brand' as an internet website/homepage and to (some months later) to gift the registered FlyerTalk website to Randy.