.UK – Second-level domains launched today – 10th June 2014
It is now possible to register .UK second-level domain names that do not have an equivalent name already registered as a .CO.UK or a .ORG.UK on a first-come, first served basis.
Holders of existing third-level .UK domains (.CO.UK, .ORG.UK, etc.) registered before 08:00hrs on 10 June 2014 will be offered the second-level equivalent of their current domain and will be given five years to decide whether they want to use it in addition to, or instead of their existing third-level domain.
The registration rules for second-level .UK domains will be essentially the same as for existing .CO.UK and .ORG.UK domains, with the following two exceptions:
• An address for service in the UK will be required for overseas registrants (which Com Laude can provide); and
• PO Boxes will not be allowed in the address.
Pricing for new domains will be GBP 3.50 per year for single year registrations and GBP 2.50 per year for multi-year registrations. Com Laude fees are additional and VAT will be added where applicable.
Com Laude offers corporate domain name management and online trademark protection for corporations worldwide. In addition, Com Laude offers the advice brand owners need in order to formulate a sharp strategy with regard to domain name registration in all the new gTLDs at the second level.
The rising popularity of the .tk (Tokelau) ccTLD
Reading CENTR’s excellent May report into domain name statistics, I see that the total number of registrations across all Top Level Domains now stands at just over 258 million; 56% are gTLDs such as .com and 44% are ccTLDs. The largest ccTLD operator is no longer Germany or China or even the UK, but the tiny island of Tokelau (.tk). As we all know, this is a territory of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean consisting of three atolls with a combined land area of 10 km2.
With nearly 17 million domains, the popularity of .tk has been fuelled through a unique business model. Anyone can register a .tk domain for free, renewable at the end of the year. However the owner of all free .tk domains is the registry. If you want to own the domain, appear in the whois or register for a longer period than a year, you must pay. Pricing is from $6.95 per year with a minimum two year registration period; although domains containing one, two or three characters or those with branded, generic or common words are considered premium and are priced higher. As a result, one sixth of the Tokelau economy consists of income from .tk domain names.
There does not seem to be any significant threat to brand owners posed by .tk domains. The registry has adopted the UDRP and there have been under a dozen complaints in seven years. We have not yet seen any major brand owners running an important site under a .tk domain but that day might yet come.
It is a remarkable achievement for the tiny .tk territory to command such strong popularity that it ranks second only to gTLD .com in terms of the volumes of domains registered, standing head and shoulders above all other ccTLD registries. I await their entry into the world of internet governance with a smile.
Com Laude offers corporate domain name management and online trademark protection for corporations worldwide. In addition, Com Laude offers the advice brand owners need in order to formulate a sharp strategy with regard to domain name registration in all the new gTLDs at the second level.
