Comments

I think that having one organisation running the .uk market is by far and away the best way to go - providing the pricing policy is fair.


I belive it is critical for the Digital Future of the UK that Nominet has a strong governace aligned with an Executive function that has the delegated authority to make certain decisions for the benefit of the whole membership in this rapidly changing world of technology.


The recommendations are sound, however one has to remember that we no longer live in an insular world, we live in a global business environment without borders and that in essence is the success behind the internet. It is right that the UK nic should be able to run without politicians changing the rules for their own means, it is right that the UK nic is run without interventions either by the Chancellor and money raising or by business advisors within government who don't really understand the scope and interests as varied as they are; from personal registrations to new set ups and within this I mean, the basic entreprenuerial spirit that enables business no matter how big or small to prosper when on a UK domain name. Nominet should go further, welcome the world at large to the UK name space and registrars should serve the global community not only UK internet users or the nation. The City didn't build its successes looking inwards but looking out to the world to do business. Profits should be reinvested in Nominet structure and support projects to boost the UK domain name space and knowledge, to ensure safe shopping and yes regulate where needed but keeping in mind the freedoms that the internet has given and which should continue to be offered.


Let's not forget we may all have to serve Internet Users outside of the UK as well.


"We will reinvest Nominet profits"  "Nominet will remain a non-profit distributing private company"  Do you not see the problem / conflict here?


Words too vague,  "nation", "Internet users", "equitably and fairly", "reinvest"


keep up the good work


After many many years of being a Nominet member I cannot think of any group or organisation who could be relied on more to look after the interests of .uk better.


This would not be suitable for the government to get involved.  I see this as adding additional costs and infrustructure which would not be helpful and is not needed. THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT ISSUE


I agree that Nominet should be the guardian of .uk. I agree with Nominet reinvesting funds for the public purpose, provided it only makes such distributions once it has established sufficient reserve funds to exploit new developments and to safeguard operations including the continuing employment of its staff. (I am sure Nominet does this already but it is worth repeating)  I am less happy with the statement, "With our registrars, we will serve all UK niternet users equitably and fairly" as not all UK registrars

We believe that Nominet has already subscribed to these commitments over the past more than a decade of activity, albeit informally. We welcome them becoming express or formal commitments.

Nominet have handled their business well and deal effectively and efficiently with all related domain suffixes.  Why would anyone want a third party to get involved, especially the Government who successfully seem to manage to screw everything they touch up, when the system works as slick as it does? The Government should get on with Government issues and leave a tried and trusted system well alone!


Nominet is one of the most reliable sevices I have ever known and works well with its domain resellers. My choice being www.ukreg.com which in turn is ultra reliable. It is very inexpensive to register and domain name and unlike other services, it is easy to get though on the telephone to Nominet. There needs to be no question on a wonderful service that goes beyond the saying of "if it isn't broken, there is no need to fix it". Any need for consultation is beaucracy gone mad.


I think nominet should stay non-profit and serve the public.

Whilst I disagree with any principle that holds 'all UK Internet users' on a par with Members I recognise that a failure to secure this commitment would be a significant obstacle to the Government allowing self-regulation to continue.


Holding .uk in trust and serve UK users are the key points. .uk domains should only be available to legitimate uk users, like .fr names are to frenceh users.


things are fine as they are.. if its not broke...


i think it is good.


This has worked well in the past and serves UK well and does not place any burden on public finances or more govemnent paid people which as tax payers we all have to pay for.


Video is such a slow way of presenting information!


Not all users should be treated equally - there should be a requirement that .uk domain holders have a *verifiable* UK address, to prevent abuses from overseas, such as domain squatting and the setting up of fraudulent websites on .uk domains.


Very happy with the management of our .uk domain names


I'd like "the public purpose" to be defined a bit more strongly. Are we building hospitals with the profits?


I would like to see the Nominet Trust giving out small grants to small local community organisations. When I was a member of an SRB6 Board we did decide to split our funding into two streams. One for larger projects (such as already supported by the Nominet Trust) and one for small community projects with a maximum grant of £500 per applicant. I suggest that Nominet could set the maximum grant at £1000.


I think that the management and governence of the .uk namespace should be removed from commercial interests as far as possible. This is to minimise the risk of unfair and biased practice brought about by the commercial objectives of a particular group or body.



Whilst Nominet was originally formed with the intention of being for the public purpose, the specifics of that are not the same in 2009 as they were in 1996 and we feel that the constitution should be updated accordingly in that respect.  It's important to move with the times and this change is also essential to satisfy the BERR's demands. As such we agree wholeheartedly with this subtle but necessary change.


The internet is a vital part of the modern economic infrastructure and it is therefore important that UK businesses can access .uk domain names in an efficient and cost effective way.  A 2008 CBI/Nominet survey revealed that almost half of respondents valued the low-cost, and simple process for reigstering domain names in the UK with SMEs valuing the cost-effectiveness of the system even more than large companies.   However, 28% of companies had fallen victim to cyber squatting. This demonstrates the importance of Nominet handling trademark disputes quickly and robustly in order to provide a domain name system that works for all stakeholders.

Commensurate with offering value for money for all stake holders


Nominet has consistently proven to be equitable - much moreso than the government. Do not let the bureaucrats anywhere near this vital piece of the networking machinery.


Nominet is getting way above itself in wanting to fund a charitable foundation funded with millions of pounds of excessive profits taken from its hapless members


I'm happy with the way Nominet operates and see no need for it to change.
I trust Nominet - I would find it hard to have the same trust in another organisation running it.


Nominet profits should be used 'for the public good' Excessive expences and renumerations should be avoided, especially in light of recent MP expences scandals. Public projects that benefit from surplus profits should be focused on deprived areas, not affluent ones. the aim should be to widen the availability of Internet access to those who are less likely to afford or be technically 'able'. Focus needs to be shifted away from 'london' centric projects with a fund available on an application/merit basis modelled on something similar to the 'awards for all' lottery funded projects with a bias towards internet inclusion projects (community halls, public wifi, OAP access courses etc)


I like the focus on .uk; I'm not happy with recent movements into other areas.


As an Internet person that pre dates Nominet i.e the naming committe I certainly believe the .uk namespace is to be held in trust for the nation as any other method is open to abuse as we have seen over the last twenty years.


While this is very clear and agreeable, I want to make the point that I fully believe that Nominet so far has done a good job and served the public purpose also without those proposals being written out.


I believe Nominet have always done this and will continued to do this.
As a registrar, I believe Nominet is doing an excellent job - I only wish we could use Nominet to register all TLDs.  I'm pleased individually and as a company to be able to support the work that the Nominet Trust does, and it is my intention to find ways to become more involved.


Whilst I agree with this in principle, I am cautious of the charitable donations that Nominet make from profits.


I totally agree that self-managed is the way forward.