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New micro domains - a risk to your brand?

16 March 2010

Nominet, the body which operates all ".uk" domain names is planning to change its rules on what can be registered as a domain name.

We find that most big business have their domain name portfolio relatively tied-up. However, the proposed rule change could mean that competitors; fan sites; or action groups could register a new domain name which they would be prohibited from registering under the existing rules.

The current rules for registering .uk domain names do not allow the registration of one or two letter domain names (although there are some notable exceptions) so for example, www.aa.co.uk is not allowed, nor are  www.xc.co.uk;  www.rs.co.uk; or www.tt.co.uk.

However, Nominet is now planning to release two letter, one character and other reserved .uk domains, and has asked industry to comment.

Please see: http://www.nominet.org.uk/about/consultations/reservedshortdomains/ for the consultation paper. 
You can comment at: http://www.nominet.org.uk/about/consultations/reservedshortdomains/?contentId=7228.

The current proposals, however, include the right for, “holders of registered trademarks recognised and enforceable in the UK that [are] identical to the two letter combination applied for,” to make an early registration.

However, many of the businesses we work with don’t register sub-brands (such as product names), so this provision may be of little use. Perhaps this is something worth commenting on, as we take the view that all existing rights holders should have this privilege. 

If a dispute arises, rights holders can rely both on the Nominet dispute resolution policy, or a civil action. Feel free to contact us.

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Emile Saadi

Solicitor
T: 03700 86 8494
I: +44 (0)1908 48 8494
E: emile.saadi@shoosmiths.co.uk