Drop lists
Generally stakeholders agreed the current system could be improved. Most supported the principle of a drop list for registrars (89%), and for the general public (68%). There was support for clarity, transparency and standardisation with the wider industry and gTLDs.
Several respondents raised concerns that a drop list alone would not resolve the real problem – that desirable domain names tend to be re-registered within seconds by specialist registrars, and that this reduces genuine domain usage. To address this issue we received proposals for registry auctions, wait lists, landing pages, and expression of interest ballots. Respondents to the questions on competition highlighted that the existing system favours a small number of individuals, creates barriers to entry for new players and effectively perpetuates a closed market.
These ideas seek to address a small proportion of expiring domain names targeted in a technical “arms race”. These domain names account for approximately 0.7% of cancelled domain names.
In 2018, 1,769,802 .UK domain names were cancelled, of these:
~13% (229,352) were re-registered within a year
~5% (87,410) were re-registered within a day
~0.7% (12,109) were re-registered in the same timestamp they were cancelled
This small proportion of highly desirable domains drives the incentive to pool resources and game our Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs). This is a complex area of behaviour and we believe that change should be approached cautiously. We received thorough and insightful consultation responses on this issue and believe further consideration is required before we make a decision on drop lists. We are also minded to run a further consultation on the suggested alternative release mechanisms for highly desirable domains.
As a result, we will not make any changes to the current system at this point.
Nominet will consider the implications of implementing a drop list in the context of our existing approach to preventing system abuse and provide an update to all stakeholders in due course.
This will include a decision on whether we will consult on the alternative release mechanisms for highly desirable domains: registry auctions, waitlists, landing pages and ballots for future .UK policy consultations.
We hope you find this briefing useful and would welcome your feedback and any suggestions on topics for future briefings.
