Introduction of .uk - Don't Do It!

[Edwin]

I have spent the last three weeks putting together a detailed 26 page position paper about Nominet's rollout of .UK, entitled "Introduction of .uk - Don't Do It!".

While there are many things wrong with their current proposal, I've concentrated on the issues that will make immediate sense to ordinary businesses.

For instance, the prioritising of trademark holders over domain registrants, the huge price increase, and the fact that Nominet is ignoring the best practice established by all other countries in their own 3LD to 2LD transitions.

I've also detailed how Nominet stands to gain substantially from the exercise (indeed, it will likely eclipse their current revenue).

I concluded that the UK economy would be better off with the status quo, but if Nominet insist we must have .UK, it has to be distributed in a fair and equitable way (i.e. nothing like their current proposal)

To that end, I've put together a counter-proposal. I've kept it strictly "industry neutral" so that it represents the "least worst alternative" for the largest number of stakeholders. As such, you may find it's not as advantageous to domainers as one might hope. I believe however that it's a defensible proposition founded on sound logic, and taking into account international precedent.

I don't want to "anticipate" what I've written any further than that, so I'll let you get on with digesting the document! You can download it from http://www.mydomainnames.co.uk/

 

[websaway]

I have spent the last three weeks putting together a detailed 26 page position paper about Nominet's rollout of .UK, entitled "Introduction of .uk - Don't Do It!".

While there are many things wrong with their current proposal, I've concentrated on the issues that will make immediate sense to ordinary businesses.

For instance, the prioritising of trademark holders over domain registrants, the huge price increase, and the fact that Nominet is ignoring the best practice established by all other countries in their own 3LD to 2LD transitions.

I've also detailed how Nominet stands to gain substantially from the exercise (indeed, it will likely eclipse their current revenue).

I concluded that the UK economy would be better off with the status quo, but if Nominet insist we must have .UK, it has to be distributed in a fair and equitable way (i.e. nothing like their current proposal)

To that end, I've put together a counter-proposal. I've kept it strictly "industry neutral" so that it represents the "least worst alternative" for the largest number of stakeholders. As such, you may find it's not as advantageous to domainers as one might hope. I believe however that it's a defensible proposition founded on sound logic, and taking into account international precedent.

I don't want to "anticipate" what I've written any further than that, so I'll let you get on with digesting the document! You can download it from http://www.mydomainnames.co.uk/

As we have come to expect from you, it is well written and you have clearly put a lot of work in to colate the necessary information and I for one am grateful to you.
I hope you are not falling into an already anticipated trap that nominet will have taken account of and that is going specifically down the trademark unfairness route.
These big boys you refer to will have a way of agreeing a way to get the names they want with nominet and if that means a high financial cost they will grin and bare it. Not so with joe bloggs who even if you overcome his trademark issues will still have to incur sometimes huge cost and work to accommodate the change.

 

[Stephen]

Don't do it!

Thanks very much Edwin

Just off to make a coffee and read it all

 

[BG]

Well structured and great read Edwin. I hope it doesn't fall on death ears... ping an email over to Ron at DNJ and also the guys over at theregister, then sit back and watch it spread like wildfire.

Good work E

Barry

 

[Edwin]

It probably doesn't need saying, but I'll say it anyway:

If you agree with the main thrust of what I've written, please GET THE WORD OUT. You now have something extremely specific to share with people.

Each of us has hundreds of people in our personal networks. Individually we're weak, but together that's a very powerful voice indeed. And if you happen to know a journalist or an MP, that's icing on the cake.

 

[ratboy]

And if you happen to know a journalist or an MP, that's icing on the cake.

I've twitter bothered a friend of mine from thebusinessdesk.com about it.

 

[Edwin]

Well structured and great read Edwin. I hope it doesn't fall on death ears... ping an email over to Ron at DNJ and also the guys over at theregister, then sit back and watch it spread like wildfire.

Just did both, thanks for the suggestion. Hope it does.

 

[websaway]

Possibly all parked domains could be directed to your page for the consultation period, this would create a huge awareness.

 

[foz]

Good site and research. mydomainnames_co_uk is an average brand/message to convey for the site. I went out and purchased thefutureof_co_uk to do a similar site. Willing to donate if you like it.

 

[LordBull]

Edwin,

Once again your experience and considerable skill at analysing and expressing matters is of benefit to us all (and I haven't read it yet : just about to)

ATB,

Patrick

 

[Edwin]

Good site and research. mydomainnames_co_uk is an average brand/message to convey for the site. I went out and purchased thefutureof_co_uk to do a similar site. Willing to donate if you like it.

Thanks, but it's a little bit late. Already getting a number of blog posts and tweets about it on the current site. I really appreciate the kind offer, though.

 

[foz]

Thanks, but it's a little bit late. Already getting a number of blog posts and tweets about it on the current site. I really appreciate the kind offer, though.

You're welcome. Still time to change the domain to something better, just set up a url redirect. "MyDomainNames" just doesn't fit with the consultation and the proposal at hand IMO. Just an observation, no intention to be offside with you or the message.

 

[Philnorris]

Possibly all parked domains could be directed to your page for the consultation period, this would create a huge awareness.

Brilliant idea.

 

[addz123]

I don't like your conditions Edwin. In fact I think I prefer Nominets.

You're saying whoever has the oldest 3rd level domain gets the rights to .uk.

That means if even if a business has spent millions developing brand.co.uk and promoting the site, the .org.uk or .me.uk owner would get first rights to .uk if their domain is older - even if it's unused!

 

[Edwin]

I don't like your conditions Edwin. In fact I think I prefer Nominets.

You're saying whoever has the oldest 3rd level domain gets the rights to .uk.

That means if even if a business has spent millions developing brand.co.uk and promoting the site, the .org.uk or .me.uk owner would get first rights to .uk if their domain is older - even if it's unused!

Yes. That's the same way as most other countries did it, and therefore the only way that's "defensible" based on precedent.

In practice, unless the .co.uk dropped and was re-registered, it will be older the vast majority of the time. Note too that I am advocating limiting .me.uk rights to pre-October 2004 (i.e. when they were still open to everyone, not just personal names)

 

[namealot]

I don't like your conditions Edwin. In fact I think I prefer Nominets.

You're saying whoever has the oldest 3rd level domain gets the rights to .uk.

That means if even if a business has spent millions developing brand.co.uk and promoting the site, the .org.uk or .me.uk owner would get first rights to .uk if their domain is older - even if it's unused!

Wouldn’t worry about it Unpopular as it may be with domainers what % will complain sign or do anything 5, 10 % probally less than 1%, ..? P R game you know nom will play them and in joe publics eyes and most business all domainers are cyber squaters anyhow... every argument for this way or that will have winners and losers. Start looking at ways to secure your names etc buying up existing trademarks, look for eligible names for the auction stages just because someone has a name doesn’t mean they have cash to buy the uk in auction and make up list for the free for all… Study some of the dubious methods used when other TLD’s cctlds have been released Domainers will be registering them one way or another…

 

[Hazel Pegg]

Good site and research. mydomainnames_co_uk is an average brand/message to convey for the site. I went out and purchased thefutureof_co_uk to do a similar site. Willing to donate if you like it.

notagreatplacetobe.co.uk and notnominet.org.uk are currently pointing to that.co.uk

Hazel

 

[julian]

Its amazing how retarded you can be and still be allowed to drive a car.

 

[khalid]

Can we start a government petition?

 

[tifosi]

Not really following how .org.uk or .me.uk should have any rights to any proposed .uk when its being slated as a domain for businesses/companies which is the same as .co.uk. Following Nominet's terminology the only competitor to that is .ltd.uk which requires special conditions. IMO grandfather rights for .co.uk only.