Currently the registration of a second level domain is not allowed. Only third level domains such as .me.uk for private individuals, .ltd.uk for registered limited companies or .co.uk for registered companies can be registered.

Nominet has already held various discussions with registrars, received a lot of feedback in various public surveys and meetings and evaluated the requirements and suggestions. Among other things, the following important elements have been identified for the new conditions:

• There should be a privilege to register for registrants who have already registered domains under the third level domain(s). In the case of competing claims, the co.uk domain shall be given priority.
• Domains without possible privileges should be allocated according to the motto "first come - first served".
• For registrants outside England, a delivery address in England is required.
• Increased controls of the registered contact data are to be carried out.

Nominet will examine the feedback internally, plan a further conference on this topic in March 2014 and will finally decide to what extent liberalisation can take place and which requirements and proposals can be implemented.

123domain.eu recommends already now to check your domain portfolio with regard to the registered domain contacts and - depending on the domain strategy - to extend it if necessary by the third level domains mentioned at the beginning.

As a competent domain manager 123domain.eu informs its customers quickly and easily about changes in the domain sector. The top-level database shows all current registration conditions. Please let us know if you would like further information on the liberalisation of ccTLD .uk.