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back to article Lawyers attack Nominet plan for domain name disputes

The registry for .uk domain names has proposed a change in the way that name disputes are handled, but the proposed fast-track system faces criticism for not being radical enough. Nominet is consulting on a plan to streamline the dispute resolution process so that unopposed disputes are automatically resolved in favour of the …

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  1. Nano nano

    Registered names

    For a start, Nominet should automatically protect all ".co.uk" domain names for entities registered at Companies House, and only permit them to be newly registered by the entity concerned.

    The ".ltd.uk" option is not good enough because a) they only apply to companies, not LLPs; b) no-one seems to use them.

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  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Better still ...

    "Nominet's new proposal is only a partial solution to these problems, said Barker. It allows a claim to be lodged for £10 and, if it is unopposed, the name will transfer for a further £200 rather than the £750 fee payable if the claim has to be ruled on by an expert."

    That would make more sense if the SQUATTER had to pay the £200.

    Anything else is bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted. The better way would be to make squatting a financially risky business, such that any person who registers a domain name for squatting purposes does so in the full knowledge that they MAY if challenged have to pay considerably more than they stand to earn from the squatting.

    "You only get one chance"

    That is also wrong. The first round should be to present a simple paragraph that sets out in very general terms why the complainant is challenging the registration. A simple claim for the domain of widgetfactory.co.uk might go "We have continuously marketed a product under the name of WidgetFactory since 1987 and can find no evidence that the registrant has such a product". If the squatter doesn't respond then the case is won -- but if the squatter provides evidence to challenge the claim, then the complainant should be allowed further rounds until one or other party concedes the dispute.

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  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Not Better Still...

    What you are saying there is I pay £10 to challange your legitimate domain and you then have to pay £200 ??! yeah that works...

    Legitimate domain holders do not pay to defend. the challanger pays always!

    I kind of agree with simple case before escalation though. providing a full and complex case in advance is expensive but I guess it acts as a deterrent to dodgy challanges.. afterall Boston Business Computers was a legitimate company and claim!

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  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Do not pass GO ...

    "and you then have to pay £200"

    Only if the loser is guilty of a SQUATTING offence (ie, buying a domain name with no product or other justified reason for owning the name) and the company making the claim has a valid product that predates the registration.

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