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[secura]

2831 previously unavailable .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk and .net.uk
domains open to applications from trade mark holders from 1st
December 2010

The application process for some of most valuable uk-domains –
those with single numbers, single letters and two letters, will
start on 1st December.

Until today these uk-domains, which include single character
domains (e.g. 1.co.uk, a.co.uk) and two letter domains (e.g.
aa.co.uk), were ‘reserved’ and as such could not be registered.

Following a policy review, these uk-domains are now being made
available.

Uk-domains are normally registered on a 'first come, first
served' basis. However, due to the anticipated high level of
demand, the registry will release these short uk-domains via a staged
process of three stages:Sunrise I, Sunrise II and Landrush Period.

The 'Registered Rights Sunrise' period starts on
December 1st and closes at January 17th 2011.
During this time trade mark rights holders can apply for a uk-domain
that matches their trade mark. As each application will be
independently verified, applicants will need to provide evidence
of using the trade mark in the UK prior to 1 January 2008.


The trade mark rights verification cost is £37 plus VAT for a
single application for the first sunrise. Full fee details are
available on the Nominet website. The deadline for submissions
for the first sunrise window is noon (GMT) 17th January 2011. The
evidence will be evaluated by an independent law firm on
Nominet’s behalf.

If there is more than one verified application for these uk-domains, these domains will be
auctioned to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to the
Nominet Trust, an independently run charity.

The Uk-Domains not allocated will then go forward to a second sunrise
period, when the rights qualification will be extended to
unregistered rights holders. Any remaining uk-domains will proceed
to a "landrush" period in which anyone can participate.

"There can be many trade marks, but only one domain name. So
we're expecting these new domains will be hotly contested by
individuals, companies and major brands. This release is an
opportunity for savvy rights owners to get hold of valuable
domain names" comments Nick Wenban-Smith, Senior Legal Counsel at
Nominet and member of the project team for the short domains
release.

"Having the .uk short domain URL can enhance brand value and
increase customer access to businesses and individuals via search
engines and beyond. We’ve developed the process to be fair as
possible and look forward to active participation from trade mark
holders in the first stage of the process."

The categories of uk-domains included in this release have different
purposes: while.co.uk and .org.uk are open to all, .net.uk is
reserved for network operators, and me.uk is intended for
individuals.

Nominet-Memnber Secura is not only looking for contacts to customers
and domainers, but also for contacts to other Nominet members, in order
to cooperate at the registration of these special uk-domains.

Hans-Peter Oswald
Registration of domains by ICANN-Registrar"

[CCTLDS]

Thank you for the information .

[justinalbert]

Very nice post, Really nice and informative post ..