The Domain Business report shows that preference for .uk remains strong with eighty one percent of those surveyed saying they prefer .uk sites when presented with a choice of a .uk or .com in search results. The main reasons given were that it would be more likely to be a UK based company and have more relevance with prices in sterling and acceptable delivery charges.

The report also shows that the global market for domain names is healthy and growing with an increase of 9.5% this year, taking the total number of domains globally to 218 million, an increase of 19 million. Generic Top Level Domains now make up 60% of the market while 39% are country code Top Level Domains.

Commenting on the report, Lesley Cowley OBE, Chief Executive of Nominet, said: “Nominet is proud to continue to operate one of the world’s largest Internet domain name registries and the good news is that the .uk space continues to go from strength to strength. The register was at 9.7 million domains at the end of September 2011 and we expect it to reach 10 million in the early months of next year. As business sites now account for more than three million .uk websites it is impossible to ignore the vital role that the .uk space plays in the national digital economy.”

Phil Kingsland, Director of Marketing and Communications at Nominet, added: “We are pleased to see that the public have such confidence in .uk and we continue to focus on working closely with global and domestic groups to ensure that it remains a safe and secure environment in which to do business. Businesses in the UK recognise that the values of status and trust that .uk stands for positively contribute to the consumer perception of their company online. In looking to establish a brand that customers can have confidence in, buying into the .uk space is a valuable step.”

The full results of the The Domain Business and a wide range of industry views are available by visiting http://db.nominet.org.uk

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The awards recognise people or organisations that are making a real difference to their communities or society as a whole through the web.

As examples of best practice, winners of the awards can expect to gain international exposure to parliamentarians, academics and the wider Internet community. The awards are run in partnership with Nominet Trust, which invests in initiatives that contribute to a safe and accessible Internet used to improve lives and communities. Last year, three of the finalists went on to receive funding from Nominet Trust.

Entries close in two weeks time – Thursday 28th April – with all submissions to be reviewed by an independent panel of judges chaired by the Rt Hon Alun Michael MP. The award categories this year are:

• Building a networked nation
• Making the Internet safer
• Opening the world of knowledge
• Empowering young people and citizen
• Nurturing powerful local partnerships

For more information on each category and how to apply, please visit http://www.nominet.org.uk/go/internetawards.

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Nominet is taking a more consultative approach to policy development, and has published more details of its new process framework at www.nominet.org.uk/policy

The policy process is designed to ensure participation from the broadest group of stakeholders possible. It can involve the development of an ‘issue group’ to discuss issues relating to .uk policy, which encourages participation from relevant stakeholders around the UK. These groups will discuss specific issues and provide policy recommendations to Nominet’s Board for consideration. This ensures that Nominet hears the considered opinion of relevant stakeholders prior to making any policy decisions.

The policy process is managed by the Nominet Secretariat and all interested parties can sign up for updates at www.nominet.org.uk/policy/signup

In addition, Nominet today announces updates on two current issues.

Criminal Activity involving use of domains

The Dealing with domain names used in connection with criminal activity issue group is being formed, in response to a proposal submitted by Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). The publication of this proposal led to a wide range of stakeholders expressing an interest in being involved in the discussion. Nominet is calling for those wanting to put themselves forward to take part directly to register by 23rd February.

It is anticipated that the group will be selected by 2nd March, and will meet for the first time later that month. An independent summary of the issue has been commissioned and will be circulated to stakeholders and issue group members in advance of first meeting of the issue group.

Expired Domain Tasting

Expired Domain Tasting is a proposal for an issue group.

The policy process was started with a proposal submitted by a Nominet member regarding the monetisation or traffic monitoring on expired domains by registrars.

Nominet is calling for stakeholders to comment on the proposal, or the treatment of expired domains more generally, by 2nd March. A decision as to whether this issue proposal will progress to the constitution of an issue group will be based on the feedback received. Comments can be submitted at www.nominet.org.uk/policy/issuegroups/contribute

Eleanor Bradley, Director of Operations at Nominet comments: “We’d encourage anyone that wants to be involved in the process to get in touch and have their say. We want to gather the broadest range of feedback possible across all matters of .uk policy and feed it into our policy development process.”

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Firstly they are introducing a Phishing feed service. This is designed to provide registrars with information about domain names on their account that are suspected of being involved in phishing. Nominet is working with a range of security companies who are providing them with live data feed of sites that have been reported as phishing sites. The data is then used to alert a registrar of any domain names on their tag that are on this report, who can then lock the name using our Investigation lock, whilst further checks are carried out.

Whilst a domain name has been placed under an investigation lock, this will act by removing the relevant domain name from the zone file and preventing changes from being made. This means that any web site or email associated with the domain name will no longer be available.

Nominet are to be applauded in this innovation, especially as it will bring extra credibility and trust to the UK domain register.

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So far there as been overwhelming support to the recommendations made by Nominet, with 95% of respondents of approximately 300 respondents in favour of Nominet’s proposals on each of the four consultation questions.

What do you think of our commitment to securing Nominet for the public purpose?

What do you think of our commitment to having strong Nominet governing principles?

What do you think of our commitment to ensure that Nominet pricing is fair and flexible?

What do you think of our commitment to putting membership at the heart of .uk?

It is still possible to submit your views to Nominet, you can view a pdf version of our consultation paper and email your response to shapingthefuture@nominet.org.uk.

Nominet now have the task of reviewing the responses and considering the feedback we have received.  Following this, in January, we will publish a revised version of our articles.  Following this, they will be inviting Nominet memberships to vote on these proposed new Nominet articles ahead of an EGM in February 2010.

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As part of Operation Papworth, the PCeU have targeted web sites run by organised criminal networks that purported to sell designer items – clothes, jewellery and electronic goods.  Many of the sites involved supplied counterfeit goods or in some cases simply failed to supply any goods to the consumers who placed orders.  Nominet worked with the police and our registrars to quickly carry out the instruction to shut down access to these sites.

The scam websites were offering high demand, high value items such asUgg Australia Boots, ghd hair straighteners, and jewellery from Tiffany & Co and Links of London. Innocent shoppers were duped into making what appeared to be bargain purchases, but received either nothing at all or counterfeit products.

Let’s hope this quick action has not harmed the reputation of the UK domain registry or indeed the growth in online shopping.

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