New domain expiry process and droplists for .uk

It's finally happening...

Just in case you haven't received the email from Nominet:
https://registrars.nominet.uk/uk-na...rocess-and-introduction-of-drop-lists-for-uk/

Testbed release: 2022-06-14
Production and OT&E release: 2022-09-13

Domains will:

• no longer drop at random times.
• drop at a specified time published in a daily drop list; the drop list will contain domains which have not been renewed from the point of suspension for non-renewal.
• become available for re-registration by any registrar through the existing Web Domain Manager and EPP systems.

Drop Lists
At the time of the production release, drop lists will go live and be available publicly for anyone to download over HTTPS.
We will update the drop list daily, and the format will include:

• ROID (Repository Object Identifier)
• Domain
• Drop time in UTC

More info here: https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/drop-lists-implementation-working-group-roundtable.173103/

Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) server for .uk
RDAP is the modern computer parseable protocol defined within the IETF to offer a secure data-rich replacement for the insecure plain text-based WHOIS protocol historically used by domain registries.
In time for the launch of expiring domains changes, we will formally launch an RDAP server for the .UK registry. This new service will include a richer data set not shown on WHOIS, such as domain status information.
Read more here: https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/nominet-uk-rdap.173119/

Web WHOIS for .uk will be replaced with a new lookup service utilising RDAP data
We will replace our Web WHOIS client for .uk with a modern user focussed RDAP client designed to not only provide the data currently offered by web WHOIS but also provide helpful information to internet users regarding what the particular data returned means.
You can already find a similar client at webber.biz/rdap

 

What impact will this have on the drop domain market?

All domains drop at the same time 00:00 everyday?

 

No, each domain will drop at a specific time.
RDAP and Web Whois will soon display that time and it should be the same time that the domain was registered.

Impossible to say at this stage. The goals are to reduce the need for fake tags and make the entire thing simpler and more transparent.

 

Ok - interesting to see how it plays out.

 

Interesting. Nobody but the best will get a look in on the domains. Surely it will be "fastest gun in the west" situation?

 

I don't think so, not necessarily.
If your route is stable enough and you can compensate for the latency, then you should have the same chances as anyone else.

 

A great day for multi tag holders.

 

How will it reduce fake Tags?

 

Indirectly, of course. The reason people created fake memberships/tags using friends, employees or business partners, was so that they would increase their DAC allowance.
Since the DAC will no longer be useful for dropcatching, the need for these fake tags is removed.

 

But if this system is fairer and all Tag holders have roughly equal chance of getting a name, surely the more Tags you have....

 

Yes and no. You will be able to officially request an additional tag if you think it will help (you can do this today), but no need to create a fake membership for the additional DAC

We already had EPP exploits. One was so effective that for a period of months nobody was able to catch anything meaningful except for the exploiter (I think that's the one Barbara briefly talked about in her webinar)

 

Im sorry, how on earth this can be seen as a positive step is beyond me. It is a disgrace. Where was the member consultation or final vote on this?

It very much feels like 'this is happening if you like it or not!'.

Publishing the exact drop time, brings even greater competition and even more reasons to collude. The same people with multiple tags also have multiple memberships. They would now have multiple create requests. Send 10 create requests at time of deletion or 100 staggered create requests starting 1/2 a second before (split between tags). Who wins? Answers on a postcard please.

The 'issue' never was the impact on Nominet systems as more server resources could have been added or a window of time in which domains drop, the issue was always tag (membership) collusion and Nominets inability or slowness to act when overwhelming evidence is provided. Perhaps if more time and resources had been spent here instead of ruining it for the vast majority that do play by the rules?.

"The reason people created fake memberships/tags using friends, employees or business partners, was so that they would increase their DAC allowance."

Yes they now have more create requests and they know the EXACT time the domain drops.

 

The last webinar on this was Thursday, December 02, 2021!

Unless someone else can enlighten me to any other occasion where we have had a vote on this?

 

Even looking here on Acorn. Nothing.

 

I'm not sure how it will stop fake TAGS as surely they will still want the extra EPP requests?

I would also be interested to know if users with multiple TAGS will be restricted to just one of there TAGS having access to the EPP. If not, there is surely a massive benefit in having 3 TAGS as 3 times the chance of success - unless I am understanding things incorrectly?

 

James, you are right in that this was a Nominet proposal, but members were able to submit their feedback and Nominet has made some changes based on UKRAC and wider membership feedback.
You know very well this was subject to a consultation via the UKRAC and a roundtable open to all members. You took part in the roundtable and submitted questions.
Feedback was accepted by email as well.
Email reminders were sent by Nominet to members requesting their feedback on the proposal and I have personally reached out to some of the dropcatchers I know to ask their thoughts. I expressed my disappointment as to how little engagement there was from the members at the time.

Since then this went through a UKRAC and Board vote which took some time because meetings take place every 6 weeks or so. Following Board approval the product team worked at implementing this, which is all within the expected timeline.

 

It always has been, but the fact the luck or hope factor over the drop time will be removed 'the best' will now be able to focus on every name.

Currently the rest of us stand a slight chance, although still relying on a lot of luck, if their (the best) quota is spread out or if they have their eyes on more than one name.

One thing for certain is, this certainly doesn't level the playing field, and in fact I am sure gives them even more advantage.

The only way this really works is if Nominet create their own dropcatching software that they host and members have to rent monthly/annually from them. Then, just like a lottery ticket, everyone should have an equal chance.