2831 previously unavailable .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk and .net.uk domains open to
applications from trade mark holders from 1st December 2010
The application process for some of most valuable uk-domains – those with single
numbers, single letters and two letters, has started on 1st December 2010.
Until today these uk-domains, which include single character domains (e.g.
1.co.uk, a.co.uk) and two letter domains (e.g. aa.co.uk), were ‘reserved’ and as
such could not be registered.
Following a policy review, these uk-domains are now being made available.
Uk-domains are normally registered on a 'first come, first served' basis.
However, due to the anticipated high level of demand, the registry will release
these short uk-domains via a staged process of three stages:Sunrise I, Sunrise
II and Landrush Period.
The 'Registered Rights Sunrise' period has started on December 1st and closes at
January 17th 2011. During this time trade mark rights holders could apply for a
uk-domain that matches their trade mark. As each application will be
independently verified, applicants will need to provide evidence of using the
trade mark in the UK prior to 1 January 2008.
If there is more than one verified application for these uk-domains, these
domains will be auctioned to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to the
Nominet Trust, an independently run charity.
The Uk-Domains not allocated will then go forward to a second sunrise period,
when the rights qualification will be extended to unregistered rights holders.
The Unregistered Rights Sunrise phase for short uk-domains has started at 14 February 2011. The first step of this two-stageprocess is for applicants to submit an application for the domain name theywould like to register to Nominet via a registrar. This application stage closes at midday (12.00 GMT) on 16 March 2011.
The second stage is for applicants to use the application reference number they
receive from Nominet to submit the evidence of their unregistered rights to the
IP rights validation agency, CMS Cameron McKenna. This validation stage closes
at midday (12.00 BST) on 31 March 2011.
At the end of the application period, uncontested uk-domains with one or two
characters will be registered to the applicants, with an auction process used to
resolve any contested applications.
Important: Holder of registered trade marks, which has missed the first Sunrise
Phase, can participate at Sunrise II. But their rights are not greater than the
rights of valid unregistered trade marks.
Any remaining uk-domains will proceed to a "landrush" period in which anyone
can participate.
"There can be many trade marks, but only one domain name. So we're expecting
these new domains will be hotly contested by individuals, companies and major
brands. This release is an opportunity for savvy rights owners to get hold of
valuable domain names" comments Nick Wenban-Smith, Senior Legal Counsel at
Nominet and member of the project team for the short domains release.
"Having the .uk short domain URL can enhance brand value and increase customer
access to businesses and individuals via search engines and beyond. We’ve
developed the process to be fair as possible and look forward to active
participation from trade mark holders in the first stage of the process."
The categories of uk-domains included in this release have different purposes:
while.co.uk and .org.uk are open to all, .net.uk is reserved for network
operators, and me.uk is intended for individuals.
Hans-Peter Oswald
http://www.domainregistry.de/...
applications from trade mark holders from 1st December 2010
The application process for some of most valuable uk-domains – those with single
numbers, single letters and two letters, has started on 1st December 2010.
Until today these uk-domains, which include single character domains (e.g.
1.co.uk, a.co.uk) and two letter domains (e.g. aa.co.uk), were ‘reserved’ and as
such could not be registered.
Following a policy review, these uk-domains are now being made available.
Uk-domains are normally registered on a 'first come, first served' basis.
However, due to the anticipated high level of demand, the registry will release
these short uk-domains via a staged process of three stages:Sunrise I, Sunrise
II and Landrush Period.
The 'Registered Rights Sunrise' period has started on December 1st and closes at
January 17th 2011. During this time trade mark rights holders could apply for a
uk-domain that matches their trade mark. As each application will be
independently verified, applicants will need to provide evidence of using the
trade mark in the UK prior to 1 January 2008.
If there is more than one verified application for these uk-domains, these
domains will be auctioned to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to the
Nominet Trust, an independently run charity.
The Uk-Domains not allocated will then go forward to a second sunrise period,
when the rights qualification will be extended to unregistered rights holders.
The Unregistered Rights Sunrise phase for short uk-domains has started at 14 February 2011. The first step of this two-stageprocess is for applicants to submit an application for the domain name theywould like to register to Nominet via a registrar. This application stage closes at midday (12.00 GMT) on 16 March 2011.
The second stage is for applicants to use the application reference number they
receive from Nominet to submit the evidence of their unregistered rights to the
IP rights validation agency, CMS Cameron McKenna. This validation stage closes
at midday (12.00 BST) on 31 March 2011.
At the end of the application period, uncontested uk-domains with one or two
characters will be registered to the applicants, with an auction process used to
resolve any contested applications.
Important: Holder of registered trade marks, which has missed the first Sunrise
Phase, can participate at Sunrise II. But their rights are not greater than the
rights of valid unregistered trade marks.
Any remaining uk-domains will proceed to a "landrush" period in which anyone
can participate.
"There can be many trade marks, but only one domain name. So we're expecting
these new domains will be hotly contested by individuals, companies and major
brands. This release is an opportunity for savvy rights owners to get hold of
valuable domain names" comments Nick Wenban-Smith, Senior Legal Counsel at
Nominet and member of the project team for the short domains release.
"Having the .uk short domain URL can enhance brand value and increase customer
access to businesses and individuals via search engines and beyond. We’ve
developed the process to be fair as possible and look forward to active
participation from trade mark holders in the first stage of the process."
The categories of uk-domains included in this release have different purposes:
while.co.uk and .org.uk are open to all, .net.uk is reserved for network
operators, and me.uk is intended for individuals.
Hans-Peter Oswald
http://www.domainregistry.de/...
