Nominet Now Giving Away .UK Domains

[snoopy]

Was surprised to see a big change in registration numbers at Nominet for the new extension, (August and September)


After a bit of digging I found out that Nominet is now giving away the new extension to try and build usage, like many new tlds are doing. They have also kept extending this promotion for several months. Seems to mainly apply to existing .co.uk holders.

Australian registrars may care to look into the future here in terms of what it means for the reputation of the extension and the profitability of the namespace.

Worth noting this promotion looks to have totally tanked registrations of of "paid for" domains in the last few months. See "third level" in the last few months, that is paid for .co.uk registrations mainly. Down 70%.

https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/right-of-registration-promotion.147235/

In my view the failure of .UK is a huge embarrassment for Nominet and they will do anything to "pad the numbers", even to the point of wrecking supply side profitability.

Given the way AUDA reacted to the failure of .id.au and .net.au in the past I believe AUDA will be doing similar stuff when .AU fails. How to "fix" a poorly performing .AU will occupy AUDA for years. These regulators will prefer to keep their own jobs than keeping registrars happy.

 

[snoopy]

This as well, robo registrations (much like .xyz)

123-Reg customers outraged at automatic .UK domain registration

The .uk domain was launched by Nominet in 2014, but as one 123-Reg customer noted, it hasn’t performed well. "Very few in the industry other than Nominet and registrars wanted it," he said.

Nominet are running a promotion where .co.uk owners can register the corresponding .uk variant for two years for free. This is an attempt to bolster the registration rate, he said. "123-Reg have taken it upon themselves to take this one step further and automatically register the .uk variant for their customers who hold .co.uk domains," he said.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/...outraged_at_automatic_uk_domain_registration/

 

[eBranding.com.au]

It's a very concerning preview of what we could see in Australia.

The results for .uk and .nz should be ringing alarm bells for all stakeholders in the Australian namespace, including supply side.

 

[DomainNames]

It's a very concerning preview of what we could see in Australia.

The results for .uk and .nz should be ringing alarm bells for all stakeholders in the Australian namespace, including supply side.

The problem is some people who should not be ignoring this choose to ignore these facts...

 

[DomainNames]

Oh guess what the big bright idea from auDA and some in supply is FIRST YEAR .AU FREE!

This plan means they will use the increased free registrations to try and prove success but when it comes time to renewals people will think twice about the double tax and extra costs.

READ THIS!
https://www.dntrade.com.au/threads/...ations-have-been-a-disaster.11594/#post-89157

https://www.dnc.org.nz/sites/default/files/2016-08/Domain Name Commission - Annual Report - .pdf

"Figure 3 shows the total number of domain names increased from 640,342 (at 1 April 2015) to 656,607 (at 31 March 2016) – a growth of 16,265, or 2.5 percent. The dip between February and March 2016 reflects the one-year anniversary of the end of the preferential registration and registration period - an important part of the registrations direct at the second level change. It appears that some registrants, having exercised their preferential registration rights, have subsequently let the shorter version of their name drop. "

Direct AU Registrations, A New Australian Internet Tax

• https://stewartmedia.com.au/direct-au-registrations-a-new-australian-internet-tax/
• https://stewartmedia.com.au/hidden-seo-costs-of-a-new-domain/
  
• http://www.smh.com.au/small-busines...n-name-owners-ripped-off-20170807-gxqpzs.html
• https://www.arnnet.com.au/article/5...ern-over-proposed-domain-name-system-changes/

ACCAN claimed, in a statement, that Australia’s current domain name system is highly regarded and has strong public recognition and the proposed changes could have adverse effects on small businesses that rely on their website and domain name to attract business if other parties register and use similar domain names.

It could also result in additional expenses incurred by small businesses that have to defensively register additional domain names to protect their businesses, it added.

ACCAN CEO, Teresa Corbin, indicated the changes may be confusing to consumers as recognised domain names of businesses and organisations could change."

 

[DomainNames]

Nominet Now Giving Away .UK Domains
http://promotions.names.co.uk/index...kbVsVwfp_gs1hSf88WQkxRoCNFcQAvD_BwE&idc=12192

FREE

was £6.99

£0.99

was £6.99

£1.99
was £14.99

 

[snoopy]

Oh guess what the big bright idea from auDA and some in supply is FIRST YEAR .AU FREE!

In that circumstance I think the registrars would be smart enough to robo register the whole namespace and mirror the existing 3.1 million names in .au. Of course most are going to drop just like the new tlds but they'd end up with accidental renewals or people who just thought it was a name they registered.

 

[snoopy]

I found this comment interesting in the Acorn thread above

They know nobody wants it and they're petrified by the declining numbers

I suspect this is what it comes down to, .uk registration numbers had sunk to 10% of .co.uk new registrations and there is a real chance of it going into decline without free registrations in the next couple of years.

Free registrations is what some new tlds have done also to give the appearance of growth (.xyz in particular) but the obvious problem is you get a far more dramatic decline when renewals become due.

What are Nominet's options now in 2 years? Wonder if they have thought of that? They are going to end up with newspaper articles about the declines if 200k+ names drop.

 

[DomainNames]

".uk right of registration promotion" 2 years FREE NOMINET +44 (0)1865 332244

I phoned Nominet and confirmed promotion is still on and they said yes via many registrars it is!

Why has auDA and surveys not discussed and disclosed this? Some registrars have run it for a long time in the UK.

Let's hear what the excuses are now why auDA and Ausregistry/ Neustar/ Golden Gate Capital can't lower the .au wholesale pricing to be globally competitive..

https://www.34sp.com/blog/claim-free-uk-domain-name/

"During the month of September we’re working with Nominet, the UK domain name registry, to offer 100% free .uk domain names to select UK domain holders. During our Right of Registration promotion, if you hold an existing .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .ltd.uk, .plc.uk or .net.uk domain name, you might be able register the .uk extension, completely free of charge, for two years, right now."
​

https://www.freevirtualservers.com/blog/uk-domain-right-of-registration/

https://www.google.com.au/search?sa...0....0...1..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.ZOCKzN1aKWc

https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/right-of-registration-promotion.147235/

https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/buy-one-get-one-free-from-nominet.135313/

"This is all about pushing .UK if you ask me. After creating a clusterf#ck, they are trying to make it look popular and show growth. "
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...x-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=-MfxWa-uOcPN8gfRqYngBw
Excluding VAT for Business

123-Reg customers outraged at automatic .UK domain registration
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/...outraged_at_automatic_uk_domain_registration/

Nominet has been giving away .UK Domains to increase their UK domain name registration numbers!

https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/threads/right-of-registration-promotion.147235/
"Hi Everyone

As you may be aware Nominet is planning to run a promotion where registrars can offer their rights-holders a two-year FREE registration on reserved .uk domains.

We've been asked whether we could do anything to help self-managed tag holders bulk register the names they have rights to. This is something we're looking into, but it would be useful if we could get an idea of how many others would be interested in this kind of functionality.

So I thought I'd come on here and canvass some views. Would you be interested? Would it help? I can't promise we can deliver what has been asked for, but it would be really helpful to get an idea of numbers and how many people potentially would benefit.

Many thanks
Leanne
Leanne Kenny
Membership Engagement Lead
DD: +44 (0)1865 332202 E: leanne.kenny@nominet.uk
​

http://promotions.names.co.uk/index...kbVsVwfp_gs1hSf88WQkxRoCNFcQAvD_BwE&idc=12192

 

[snoopy]

Apparently the registrar involved (123-reg UK's biggest) have turned *on* auto renew on all the robo names put in accounts.

 

[DomainNames]

Apparently the registrar involved (123-reg UK's biggest) have turned *on* auto renew on all the robo names put in accounts.

Dirty tricks....$$$$ FOLLOW THE MONEY .... "F.U." to the UK Consumers and domain name registrants.. They are scrambling now to save the whole thing from disaster. This was created by greed and inaccurate claims.. yet we see auDA and others who thought they could make money of this quoting the Nominet model.. WTF? They didn't mention this FREE 2 years part as areason why .uk numbers increased and why they had to do the promotion?

Someone better warn the ACCC what Australia could be in for....auDA is not listening

Add this to the agenda
" modernising? WAKE UP PEOPLE THIS IS A SCAM!

• http://mitchfifield.com/Media/Media...Id/1459/Modernising-Australias-au-domain.aspx
• https://www.communications.gov.au/documents/terms-reference-review-au-domain-administration

 

[snoopy]

Apparently Nominet support the actions of the registrar involved. Surely they'll both end out being sued?

Response from Nominet (James Middleditch Customer Resolution Team)

(see page page 6 of thread below)

There is nothing in that RA [registrant agreement] which prohibits this activity. It could be argued that by pro-actively protecting their existing customers by exercising these rights on behalf of the customer, they are actually adhering to the fundamental tenet of the RA which is to act in the best interest of .uk domain name registrants. The RA also says that registrars can act on behalf of their customers, which is in essence what this promotion involves.

https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/thre...th-your-uk-domain-registration-rights.150252/

 

[DomainNames]

Apparently Nominet support the actions of the registrar involved. Surely they'll both end out being sued?

Response from Nominet (James Middleditch Customer Resolution Team)

(see page page 6 of thread below)
https://www.acorndomains.co.uk/thre...th-your-uk-domain-registration-rights.150252/

This is like automatically giving you an extra number plate free for your car for 2 years to not even use when you already have a number plate then charging you double later after 2 years! Useless double tax and dirty tricks..
"2 numbers plates on the 1 car". Crazy and useless.

Hey maybe the car rego office can sell you a front number plate and back number plate for you car. You must buy both at twice the price . Double the money for them.....

auDA Take note-- people know this scam and are watching!

 

[snoopy]

This is like automatically giving you an extra number plate free for your car for 2 years to not even use when you already have a number plate then charging you double later after 2 years! Useless double tax and dirty tricks..

I think it they actually go ahead and start charging people's credit cards for these names they'll get sued. Will be hundreds of thousands of people with charges on their cards for names they never registered.

 

[Bacon Farmer]

It's by definition theft.

They'll end up in gaol.

 

[snoopy]

Story on domainer about this,

https://www.domainer.com.au/this-will-probably-end-in-tears/

 

[Data Glasses]

Free .xyz anyone ?

 

[Scott.L]

I think Nominet may have a problem when the registry wants a payment.

Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971. (UK)

• If you receive a request for payment from an organisation / trader for an unsolicited product (goods), it has committed a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. (UK)

• Regulation 40 provides that a consumer is not required to make payments in addition to those agreed for the trader’s main obligation, unless the consumer gave express consent before conclusion of the contract”.

I wonder if UK registrants had any choice to OPT-IN/OUT? If it were found that .UK was an unsolicited product offer, then .UK recipients won’t be required to EVER pay for it.

(theoretically)

 

[DomainNames]

 

[DomainNames]