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, has started on 1st December 2010. 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 has started on December 1st and closes at January 17th 2011. During this time trade mark rights holders could 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.

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. The Unregistered Rights Sunrise phase for short .uk domains has started at 14 F ebruary 2011. The first step of this two-stage process is for applicants to submit an application for the domain name they would like to register to Nominet via a registrar. This application stage closes at midday (12.00 GMT) on 16 March 2011. The second stage is for applicants to use the application reference number they receive from Nominet to submit the evidence of their unregistered rights to the IP rights validation agency, CMS Cameron McKenna. This validation stage closes at midday (12.00 BST) on 31 March 2011. Please read the instructions carefully on how to apply during this phase, what qualifies as unregistered rights, and what evidence you need to submit to the validation agency before submitting your application. At the end of the application period, uncontested domain names will be registered to the applicants, with an auction process used to resolve any contested applications. Important: Holder of registered trade marks, which has missed the first Sunrise Phase, can participate at Sunrise II. But their rights are not greater than the rights of valid unregistered trade marks.

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. Hans-Peter Oswald http://www.domainregistry.de/uk-domain.html