.uk Policy Experience: Release of short domain names. Accra. 21 April 2011

Transcription

1 .uk Policy Experience: Release of short domain names AfTLD Presentation Accra 21 April 2011

2 Agenda 1.Issue 2.Rule changes 3.Sunrise process 4.Where are we now? 5.Lessons learned... 6.Q&A 2

3 What is the Issue? Previous Nominet policy did not allow short domain names (2 letters, 1 character) ba.co.uk not allowed, 3m.co.uk allowed Originally based on technical issues that are no longer relevant There were exceptions (pre-nominet): bt.co.uk, hp.co.uk, vw.co.uk, x.co.uk Rule forbidding use of TLD strings: But with new gtlds, increasing number of exceptions pro.org.uk, aero.co.uk, museum.co.uk 3

4 What were the problems? Difficulty in agreeing a release mechanism that would be fair and equitable for UK stakeholders. First Come, First Served? Favours the domain name industry Sunrise period with: Lottery? Auction? What to do with the financial surplus? For many years in the too difficult pile a lot of difficulty for a small number of domains 4

5 Why should we do something? Technical problems no longer relevant New gtld round will increase number of exceptions Legal disputes: litigation in Germany over vw.de Successful sunrises for.asia and.co launches show it can be done Nominet Trust provides a mechanism for using any surplus from the process 5

6 Decision to open the space Policy Advisory Body recommended (November 2008) that the restrictions should be relaxed: Nominet should make [short] domain names available for registration There should be a special approach to releasing domain names with a staged sunrise period Presumption to remove any restrictions on registration unless there is a valid technical or policy reason Extensive policy consultation and outreach in order to find a consensus on the precise rule changes and a fair release process 6

7 Agenda 1. Issue 2.Rule changes 3.Sunrise process 4. Where are we now? 5.Lessons learned... 6.Q&A 7

8 Rule changes To remove the restrictions on TLDs e.g. pro.co.uk 2 letters e.g. ba.co.uk, bp.co.uk Single characters i.e. 1.co.uk To retain the restrictions on UK i.e. uk.co.uk COM i.e. com.org.uk UK SLDs (14 of these including co, org, net, ac, me, gov, police, mod, nhs etc) i.e. nhs.co.uk or police.org.uk are not allowed Release process to give priority to rights holders and not to give any technological advantage in registration 8

9 Agenda 1. Issue 2.Rule changes 3.Sunrise process 4. Where are we now? 5.Lessons learned... 6.Q&A 9

10 Sunrise process Rights had to be registered before 1 January 2008 Open to registered trade marks first, then unregistered trade marks Requirement for bona fide use of a trade mark, not just registration Landrush decided by auction, then unrestricted Standard registration terms, including dispute resolution Where there is more than one valid applicant in the sunrise, open auction is the decider If the release process generates a profit then we will donate that to the Nominet Trust Started December

11 Registered Rights Sunrise Apply through registrars 6 week application window Not First Come, First Served Independent check on rights entitlement Where only one applicant then will be registered First 99 domains registered 7 February 2011 Additionally 79 registered through unregistered rights Includes many household names Standard 5 registration fee for 2 year term Where multiple valid applications then auction is the tie breaker with the net proceeds to the Nominet Trust 6 auctions in the first round, 4 for second round 11

12 Agenda 1. Issue 2.Rule changes 3.Sunrise process 4. Where are we now? 5.Lessons learned... 6.Q&A 12

13 Where are we now? Landrush for 2,640 remaining short domains begins on 23rd May. Application window open until midday 15 June: not a first come first served basis. Registrants can apply via their registrars. Applications cost 10 + VAT non-refundable. Any domain name with only one qualifying application will be allocated on 23rd June. Where more than one application, allocation via auction Auctions will take place from 20th July onwards. Any profits from the auctions will go to Nominet Trust. Any remaining short domains will be made available on a first come, first served basis from 27 June

14 Agenda 1. Issue 2.Rule changes 3.Sunrise process 4. Where are we now? 5.Lessons learned... 6.Q&A 14

15 Lessons learned... Get the policy right, do not rush it Really important to get good validation and auction partners you trust and can work with The process should be fair for all stakeholders. In particular it should: Respect rights Should not depend on the use of technical systems (in-built advantage to domain name industry) Be revenue neutral for the registry The process should be transparent and easy to understand: Communications and marketing 15

16 Q&A 16