.UK Announced

[Edwin]

Quite right, they may even go for full migration from .co.uk.

There is no conceivable way that would happen (if you mean that they would literally "retire" .co.uk in favour of .uk)

If you think the stink surrounding direct.uk is bad, imagine telling 4 million businesses they HAVE to rebrand (as in "are absolutely 100% forced to, because the URLs they've got printed on everything won't be valid much longer). Impossible.

 

[Nigel]

And here's a domain event in London where Lesley Cowley spoke in 2007

http://www.dnjournal.com/articles/events/ukdomainchannel2007.htm

They've gone out of their way over the years promoting themselves to domain investors. I don't think we'll see them on the domain circuit for quite a while.

 

[foz]

Here's another - he spoke at TRAFFIC Amsterdam in 2009. DNJournal.com said this:

"Phil Kingsland of .co.uk administrator Nominet said the extension is experiencing some of the biggest growth it has seen since the .com boom of a decade ago. Kingsland added that 150,000 new .co.uk domains are registered every month and that a survey showed that 80% of businesses in the UK prefer the .co.uk extension over the .com."

Here's the link - scroll down - photo of him with the panel.

http://www.dnjournal.com/cover/2009/june.htm

Well what else are UK people going to register, Nominet has a monopoly after-all. Their role is a caretaker of a computerized rolodex which any other lead entity would have had the same replication of growth.

 

[Paullas]

Well what else are UK people going to register, Nominet has a monopoly after-all. Their role is a caretaker of a computerized rolodex which any other lead entity would have had the same replication of growth.

This is what i dont understand, why can't another business/entity setup a different cctld in the uk?

 

[Edwin]

This is what i dont understand, why can't another business/entity setup a different cctld in the uk?

Because a country can only have 1 cctld. There are no exceptions (except for IDN forms of ASCII cctld). That's how the domain system works anywhere in the world.

If you want to go up against Nominet, then it would have to be down the TLD route, and that means paying ICANN their US$185,000 blood money just to read your application and consider it, plus massive additional costs.

 

[Paullas]

Because a country can only have 1 cctld. There are no exceptions (except for IDN forms of ASCII cctld). That's how the domain system works anywhere in the world.

If you want to go up against Nominet, then it would have to be down the TLD route, and that means paying ICANN their US$185,000 blood money just to read your application and consider it, plus massive additional costs.

So they have the monopoly then in the UK.

 

[foz]

And here's a domain event in London where Lesley Cowley spoke in 2007

http://www.dnjournal.com/articles/events/ukdomainchannel2007.htm

They've gone out of their way over the years promoting themselves to domain investors. I don't think we'll see them on the domain circuit for quite a while.

Thanks BTW. Having read what Cowley thinks of domainers (made public emails), I don't think their is sincerity in her that would warrant an appearance at future events.

 

[foz]

So they have the monopoly then in the UK.

Yes. Are people content with the current caretakers? or is it being raped for every penny at the moment.

 

[Nigel]

So they have the monopoly then in the UK.

Yes they have - and its clear that they need to watch how they behave.
I'm reading an OFT publication about the "Abuse of a Dominant Position". Quite clear that .wales have been treated very differently to us in their consultation. Nominet address issues such as 'consumer confusion' whereas the .uk consultation doesn't mention the prospect of confusion between .uk and .co.uk. We have got 'security features' included on the .uk that the .wales doesn't have. That will help them price ours higher. I think we'd be able to refer this to OFT once Nominet disclose price of the .wales and if direct.uk goes ahead with a higher price. This clause seems to apply:

"2.5.c applying dissimilar conditions to equivalent transactions with other trading parties, thereby placing them at a competitive advantage"

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/ca98_guidelines/oft402.pdf

There are quite a few other things too in that oft guide.

 

[Edwin]

Yes. Are people content with the current caretakers? or is it being raped for every penny at the moment.

Personally, I think Nominet have done an excellent job of managing .co.uk.

- A lot cheaper than .com
- Prices stable for over a decade (in the face of significant inflation during that timeframe) unlike the .com price escalator that has driven regfees up every single year
- Gradual simplification of certain processes (e.g. no more certificates/paper transfers)
- DRS is generally regarded more positively by experts than the UDRP system
- .co.uk is a trusted, popular extension
- No restrictions on reselling domains (unlike some cctld) nor on domain ownership (number of names, location of owner, individual/company etc. - again, unlike some cctld)
- Great customer service (very friendly too) on the rare occasion something's gone wrong

That's what makes the contrast with direct.uk so damning. If they'd done a rubbish job with .co.uk then the way they've mis-managed .uk would have come as somewhat less of a surprise.

Nominet need to get back to what they're very, very good at (.co.uk) and stop mucking around with idiotic ideas that have been widely panned over the years and have no hope of succeeding now (.uk). They're more than welcome to dabble in genuinely new business lines (.wales/.cymru) because there's no risk of damage to their core business which was, is, and should remain .co.uk.

 

[foz]

- A lot cheaper than .com

So it should a smaller populace and market.

- Prices stable for over a decade (in the face of significant inflation during that timeframe) unlike the .com price escalator that has driven regfees up every single year

They are not for profit.

- Gradual simplification of certain processes (e.g. no more certificates/paper transfers)

It's technology evolution.

- DRS is generally regarded more positively by experts than the UDRP system
- .co.uk is a trusted, popular extension

The summary option is a nightmare. Vague complaints with no substance chancing their arm for £200. I end up spending £1500-£2,000 on a solicitor filing a full response.

- No restrictions on reselling domains (unlike some cctld) nor on domain ownership (number of names, location of owner, individual/company etc. - again, unlike some cctld)

These are in the minority (globally).

- Great customer service (very friendly too) on the rare occasion something's gone wrong

Some of them can be right jerks.

 

[websaway]

There is no conceivable way that would happen (if you mean that they would literally "retire" .co.uk in favour of .uk)

If you think the stink surrounding direct.uk is bad, imagine telling 4 million businesses they HAVE to rebrand (as in "are absolutely 100% forced to, because the URLs they've got printed on everything won't be valid much longer). Impossible.

What's your first choice of what should happen Edwin ?

 

[TinkyWinky]

Personally, I think Nominet have done an excellent job of managing .co.uk.

- A lot cheaper than .com
- Prices stable for over a decade (in the face of significant inflation during that timeframe) unlike the .com price escalator that has driven regfees up every single year
- Gradual simplification of certain processes (e.g. no more certificates/paper transfers)
- DRS is generally regarded more positively by experts than the UDRP system
- .co.uk is a trusted, popular extension
- No restrictions on reselling domains (unlike some cctld) nor on domain ownership (number of names, location of owner, individual/company etc. - again, unlike some cctld)
- Great customer service (very friendly too) on the rare occasion something's gone wrong

That's what makes the contrast with direct.uk so damning. If they'd done a rubbish job with .co.uk then the way they've mis-managed .uk would have come as somewhat less of a surprise.

Nominet need to get back to what they're very, very good at (.co.uk) and stop mucking around with idiotic ideas that have been widely panned over the years and have no hope of succeeding now (.uk). They're more than welcome to dabble in genuinely new business lines (.wales/.cymru) because there's no risk of damage to their core business which was, is, and should remain .co.uk.

Coupled with...

They've made such a pigs ear of it, could they ever be trusted again ?

Means only one thing...

The whole senior board MUST go.

Following this - there needs to be a rethink by a new board of exactly how large decisions are made with ALL stakeholders - not a select few (not micro management - big policy or product changes).

Certain people have been in their glasshouse too long and think they can do what they like... because 5 or 6 of them have voted for an idea along with the largest registrars (all of whom will then profit at the expense of the UK public)

 

[Nigel]

I agree that there needs to be a shake up. They've got to the point where they think they're untouchable. I think that ad on Radio Lincs today proves it. No-one holds them to account.

What they did in the past is not important. Their sheer contempt for their existing registrants is obvious. That's why the .wales consultation is important. It shows the difference between the way they look at potential new customers and the way they treat their existing customers. Remember the totally loaded presentation produced for us, which didn't mention the possibility of any 'consumer confusion' between .co.uk and .uk and then compare it with the consultation they produced for .wales where they've gone out of their way to raise the issue of 'consumer confusion' between the two domains of .wales and .cymru and asked these potential new customers for feedback on this important issue.

I agree with an earlier post that Nominet executives don't have a great deal of love for domainers. I think it was put slightly differently! But when you consider that they have attended domaining events over the years, and even held their own domain auction just over a year ago, raising £3m after contacting as many competing trademark holders as possible, then you can see that they're no different to us. In fact a lot of us have higher standards than Nominet - we've been warning potential buyers about the consultation - so they can walk away from the deal if they want - and many have. But there's Nominet broadcasting on Radio Lincs today trying to draw more people into the .co.uk net. No warning - they're simply not bothered - after all they're untouchable - aren't they?

 

[Alien]

But there's Nominet broadcasting on Radio Lincs today trying to draw more people into the .co.uk net. No warning - they're simply not bothered - after all they're untouchable - aren't they?

Is there an online link to listen to that?

 

[websaway]

I agree that there needs to be a shake up. They've got to the point where they think they're untouchable. I think that ad on Radio Lincs today proves it. No-one holds them to account.

What they did in the past is not important. Their sheer contempt for their existing registrants is obvious. That's why the .wales consultation is important. It shows the difference between the way they look at potential new customers and the way they treat their existing customers. Remember the totally loaded presentation produced for us, which didn't mention the possibility of any 'consumer confusion' between .co.uk and .uk and then compare it with the consultation they produced for .wales where they've gone out of their way to raise the issue of 'consumer confusion' between the two domains of .wales and .cymru and asked these potential new customers for feedback on this important issue.

I agree with an earlier post that Nominet executives don't have a great deal of love for domainers. I think it was put slightly differently! But when you consider that they have attended domaining events over the years, and even held their own domain auction just over a year ago, raising £3m after contacting as many competing trademark holders as possible, then you can see that they're no different to us. In fact a lot of us have higher standards than Nominet - we've been warning potential buyers about the consultation - so they can walk away from the deal if they want - and many have. But there's Nominet broadcasting on Radio Lincs today trying to draw more people into the .co.uk net. No warning - they're simply not bothered - after all they're untouchable - aren't they?

I don't think they are untouchable, if they are found to have done things wrong they will be accountable, this is very big indeed.

 

[Nigel]

Is there an online link to listen to that?

Viceroy heard it and I think he complained to the Radio Station. I'd like to hear it. I assume this is just one of a number of broadcasts today. If someone has got a link to any it would help greatly.

 

[Nigel]

I don't think they are untouchable, if they are found to have done things wrong they will be accountable, this is very big indeed.

It is big. However I didn't said they were untouchable - just that they think they're untouchable

 

[Alien]

Viceroy heard it and I think he complained to the Radio Station. I'd like to hear it. I assume this is just one of a number of broadcasts today. If someone has got a link to any it would help greatly.

Thanks Nigel - wonder what programme it was on? http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbclincolnshire

 

[WalkinDude]

Growth

Like everything thing else in this country to justify their executive wages they have to be seen as 'growing'.

So they'll keep coming up with ideas to achieve this.

You basically got people who run a small online government, can invent new laws as they wish, offering all their 'subjects' no choice but to comply, claim victory and increase their own salaries and status for doing little more than watering the flowers each day.

If they had any interest at all in anything other than their own fortunes then it's obvious the utterly pointless .co part of .co.uk should have been dropped ages ago. This 'consultation' and is merely a backdoor proposal to TAX the UK domain industry further.

Such motivations are now endemic. All the talk in the world wouldn't change this. U'd need some sort of Union.