Our .uk policy process encourages participation from the broadest range of interested stakeholders possible.
Our commitment to working in the public interest means we engage stakeholders when we formulate .uk policy. We welcome stakeholder feedback as a useful means to inform our understanding of policy issues and how they might affect different communities.
Consultation on a new .uk domain name service
Nominet consulted on a potential new .uk domain name service from 1 October 2012 until 7 January 2013.
Current status: The report on feedback from the consultation has been published in two sections; an overall summary produced by the .uk policy secretariat and an analysis of the data by Nomensa.
This update outlines the next steps for this topic.
Dealing with domain names used in connection with criminal activity
At the beginning of 2011, Nominet commenced a policy discussion with stakeholders on how we might address the criminal use of .uk domain names.
This policy discussion has examined whether changes to our Registrant Terms and Conditions are necessary to enable Nominet to suspend .uk domains where we have reasonable grounds to believe they are being used to commit a crime.
Current status: the Nominet Board has agreed that an abuse policy relating to the suspension of domain names used in connection with criminal acitivity be developed.
Domain expiry policy
Nominet’s current policy enables registrants to renew their domain name up to 90 days after the renewal date, providing a degree of added-flexibility enabling the registrant to rectify non-renewal of the domain name. A number of developments have emerged within the domain industry and the purpose of this policy discussion was to increase transparency of transactions within the expiry period, provide increased protections for registrants and raise standards within the domain industry.
Current status: In October 2012 the Board approved the recommendation to implement a formal domain expiry policy as part of the new registrar agreement project.
Review of the Registrar Agreement
The .uk Registrar Agreement covers the commercial relationship between Nominet and .uk registrars who are the sales channel for .uk domain names. The process for reviewing the .uk Registrar Agreement began with a call for stakeholders to have their say on the existing Agreement and to suggest potential improvements.
Current status: a report of the feedback from stakeholders is available. We will publish draft proposals for a revised Registrar Agreement for .uk domain names shortly.
Contribute
If you would like to comment on any of the current topics open for discussion you can contribute by email: policy@nominet.org.uk or speak to the Secretariat: 01865 332211