Roger Darlington, founding member of the Communications Consumer Panel, invites stakeholder inputs on a key proposal by the .uk domain name registry.

As Acting Chair of Nominet’s Policy Stakeholder Committee, I should like to draw attention to a three month consultation (www.nominet.org.uk/go/directuk) by Nominet, the not-for-profit organisation responsible for running the .uk infrastructure, on the introduction of a new domain name service. They are seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders on proposals which, if approved, could mean a significant change for the UK internet. In particular, the security features that the proposal aims to introduce would require that changes be made to the policies that govern the management of the .uk registry. The new domain name service could also impact on trademark holders whose online operations have been registered under existing ones, such as .co.uk.

Over 300 responses were received in the opening two weeks of the consultation and Nominet is keen for further feedback to ensure any final proposition meets the needs of businesses, enhances trust in the .uk namespace, and contributes positively to Britain’s fast-growing internet economy.

The proposed service would combine internet security features aimed at reducing the risk of fraud and cybercrime with a shorter domain name, for example, yourbusiness.uk rather than yourbusiness.co.uk. It would be made available alongside the existing .uk domain name portfolio (including .co.uk) which already has more than 10 million domains registered.

The consultation asks for feedback on security features such as monitoring of domains to detect those infected with malicious software, a requirement for UK contact details in order to register a domain name, and inclusion of a mandatory digital signature, known as DNSSEC, which can help to prevent the hijacking of a domain name.

Nominet has stated its commitment to ensuring that, if a new service is introduced, new domain names will be made available in an orderly, well managed way. They propose to do this in stages with applications from holders of registered trademarks considered in the first phase, followed by those with an established business name or registered company name. Users of existing .co.uk, .org.uk etc domain names would be included in the second phase under the proposed plans.

As a not for profit business, Nominet invests in delivering a safer, secure .uk internet infrastructure with surplus funds donated to a charitable foundation; Nominet Trust. These initiatives could benefit from any additional funds generated if the proposed new service goes ahead.

Nominet has acknowledged that the proposals represent a significant change for the .uk domain name space, and are offering a number of different opportunities for stakeholders to feedback their views and help shape the plans, including three events in London:

• Wednesday 7 November, 10.30am – 1pm, a roundtable discussion for small and large businesses, trade associations and trademark holders.
• Thursday 8 November – an ‘Open House’. Nominet staff will be on hand to answer specific questions stakeholders have about the proposals Friday 9 November, 10.30 – 1pm designed for civil society, consumer advocates, academics and public bodies.

and four further meetings open to all:

• Wednesday 14 November in Cardiff
• Wednesday 28 November in Glasgow
• Tuesday 4 December in Manchester
• Tuesday 11 December in Belfast

Find more information and register your interest in attending any of these sessions at: www.nominet.org.uk/go/directukmeetings

Stakeholders can view the proposals at www.nominet.org.uk/go/directuk and respond to the consultation either by completing the online form, by downloading the consultation and returning a completed form to direct@nominet.org.uk or by requesting a printed copy of the consultation from direct@nominet.org.uk. The consultation is open until Monday 7 January 2013.

Nominet will be providing regular updates about the consultation on Twitter (www.twitter.com/nominet) and on their blog(http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/insight/).