New UK Domain Names on the Horizon but watch out for the Sunrise!

17 March 2010

New UK Domain Names on the Horizon but watch out for the Sunrise!

It has been announced that Nominet, the body that deal with .uk domain names, will soon be making short and previously prohibited domain names available.

It is believed that domain names with one or two letters or numbers will soon be allowed. Such short domains were previously prohibited as were domains which include (in the third level element) .com or other usual suffixes.

However it is believed that only owners of UK trade mark registrations corresponding to the domains requested will be granted the domain at the first stage. This is called the 'sunrise' period.

It will be interesting to see how Nominet deals with requests by two parties who both own UK trade marks (but which are likely to refer to different goods or services) when both parties have legitimate rights.

A consultation ends on 08 June 2010.

jody.tsigarides@lawdit.co.uk