Nominet,the company behind .UK internet infrastructure,announced that it has launched its proposal for working with its registrar channel to raise standards of service and data quality .
You can read the press release after the jump :
“Nominet, the not-for-profit organisation best known for running the .uk internet infrastructure, today launches its proposal for working with its registrar channel to raise standards of service and data quality.
The proposed Registrar Agreement forms part of Nominet’s programme for keeping its business and the .uk namespace relevant, competitive and trusted.
The Registrar Agreement is the contractual basis on which Nominet deals with all of its registrars, from organisations who manage a portfolio of their own domains to businesses who sell domain names to end users.
The revised agreement outlines raised baseline standards, while offering a framework that recognises the diversity of registrar business models.
The proposal aims to ensure that registrants have a positive customer experience, the data the registry holds is of the highest quality, and puts in place procedures that demonstrate responsible and effective industry self-regulation.
This follows on from an earlier consultation in April 2012, in which stakeholders were broadly supportive of the objectives of a new agreement and keen to see the details set out by Nominet.
Under the proposal, registrars would be able to self-select from three categories, or ‘tags’, with each offering different standards and incentives:
“Self-managed” would suit portfolio holders including investors and organisations who register and manage domains for their own use. They will be enabled under the new agreement to make free registrant transfers.
“Channel partner” would suit registrars who register and manage domains on behalf of their customers.
“Accredited channel partner” is aimed at registrars who choose to meet higher standards through enhanced customer service and a commitment to providing higher quality data. They would also be able to make free registrant transfers on their customers’ behalf, a service currently performed by Nominet. They will also be able to update changes to the registrant’s data.
The framework is designed to ensure registrars can meet the higher standards required for accredited status regardless of the size of their business, recognising that small and large registrars alike are committed to high standards.
The different categories will offer registrars greater opportunities for differentiation, with registrars able to hold more than one tag and no limit on how many categories they can apply for.
Eleanor Bradley, Chief Operating Officer at Nominet, said “A one-size fits all model didn’t make sense any more, and with the increasing demands placed on the industry, it is the right time to make a change that sets us up for the future.
“We will always want to raise standards and this agreement will help us work with our registrars to do just that. The great work in our industry is often over-looked and we want to address that. Many of our registrars are already committed to providing an excellent service and this new agreement will ensure their efforts are recognised and rewarded. Developing an accredited partner option that is available to all is really important to us. We want to acknowledge the part that all registrars can play in ensuring the .uk namespace continues to thrive.”
The proposed revised agreement sets out standards for professional engagement and compliance with legal requirements for data protection and beyond. It has been clarified to include the content previously covered by Nominet’s good practice terms and acceptable use policy.
Compared to the current framework, the proposed agreement would result in additional costs of implementation and compliance which would largely be borne by Nominet. A nominal per-tag fee is also being considered and the consultation is asking for feedback on the issue of pricing.
The consultation launches today and will run until 12 September 2013. Responses to the consultation will be published in November once Nominet has been able to consider all the feedback.
Nominet aims to finalise a new Registrar Agreement prior to the end of the calendar year, and will give 30 days notice before the agreement comes into force. A six-month transition period will then be put in place to help registrars move across to the new model.
For a copy of the proposed agreement and details of the consultation, please visit www.nominet.org.uk/registraragreement
Brands.com domain name is now up for sale,as the webiste says .This is the first time ever Brands.com domain name is for sale .
As the website says,only seven-figure offers will be considered .If your maximum offer is below seven figures,you are advised not to contact the owners .
“Brands.com is a one word ,category killer domain name which has never been on the market before”,as the site says .If you are interested to bid on the domain name you have to fill in the form on the Brands.com website .
According to whois records,the domain name was first registered in 1995 .
Moniker and Snapnames,both Oversee companies,are hosting these days the Premium Summer auction,which features a world-class line up of high quality,brandable domain names.
The auction features 139 domain names at all price points including “No Reserve” .
The auction ends July 25,2013 at 3:14 pm ET.So far,four domain names received bids and only two of them met their reserves .Keywest.net received the highest bid : $5,000,followed by JZV.com with a bid of $4,900 .
Other valuable domain names included in the auction are :
Profile.com
Bach.com
Fort.com
Remix.com
Fridges.com
Gory.com
SpotLights.com
TVD.com
BalletShoes.com
Blec.com
HotelManagement.com
Kebab.com
Laxe.xom
StandTogether.com
You can see the entire inventory and place your bids here .
Purpose (Brief): To solicit community feedback concerning a formalized process, proposed by the Board’s Structural Improvements Committee ( SIC ), for amending GNSO Stakeholder Group and Constituency Charters.
Current Status: After multiple iterations and thorough discussion by its members over several months, the SIC has approved a recommendation that a proposed GNSO Charter Amendment Procedure (described below) be posted for public comment.
Next Steps: Upon receipt and review of community feedback pursuant to this solicitation, the SIC will determine if any substantive changes to the proposed procedure are advisable and will subsequently consider requesting ICANN Board approval of the process.
Detailed Information
Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose:
The ICANN Bylaws (Article X, Section 5.3) state, “Each [ GNSO ] Stakeholder Group … and each of its associated Constituencies shall maintain recognition with the ICANN Board.” During this time of significant organizational changes within ICANN and its GNSO community, it is important that Stakeholder Groups and Constituencies have the flexibility to update, modify and evolve their charters so that those governing documents remain accurate and viable. There is currently no formalized procedure for a GNSO Stakeholder Group or Constituency to request recognition by the ICANN Board of Directors for a charter amendment. To address this procedural gap, the Board’s Structural Improvements Committee ( SIC ) has formulated a process (below) that is intended to accommodate the periodic need to amend charter documents with the ICANN Bylaws requirement for formal validation by the Board.
GNSO Structures Charter Amendment Process – As Proposed
Phase I: Amendment Preparation
GNSO Stakeholder Groups (SGs) and Constituencies should formulate charter amendments through their own internal processes and notify policy-staff@icann.org upon initiation of such efforts. [Note: If the SG Charter requires it, proposed amendment(s) to Constituency Charters must first be submitted to the applicable SG for review and evaluation before being forwarded to Staff and Board.]
Phase II: Staff Review
Upon receipt of the proposed amendment(s), ICANN Staff will analyze the proposal and, within 10 business days, submit the community proposal with a report to the Board identifying any fiscal or liability concerns.
Phase III: Public Comments
After Board review of the Staff report and the proposed charter amendments, the Board will direct the opening of a Public Comment Forum. Upon its completion, within 30 calendar days, Staff will provide a report summarizing the community feedback.
Phase IV: Board Review
At the next available opportunity after the publication of the Staff report the Board shall either:
- Recognize the proposed charter amendment by a simple majority vote; or
- Reject the proposed amendment by a supermajority (2/3) vote and provide a specific rationale for its concerns.
In its review of the proposed amendments, the ICANN Board may ask questions and otherwise consult with the affected SG or Constituency. If it is not feasible for the Board to take action on the proposed amendments after two meetings, the Board shall report to the affected SG or Constituency the circumstance(s) that prevented it from making a final action and its best estimate of the time required to reach an action.
Section II: Background:
In July 2009, as part of the comprehensive GNSO Improvements program, the ICANN Board approved the formal Charters of four new GNSO Stakeholder Groups (SGs) (see ICANN Board Resolution 2009.30.07.09). A Constituency Charter reconfirmation effort was initiated by a Board resolution at its 1 October 2008 meeting and discontinued in 2009 in favor of a new regular review cycle.
During the intervening three years or so, there had been no additional formal charter activity until May 2012 at which time the Registry Stakeholder Group ( RySG ) submitted a set of changes to its charter. After discussing the substance of the RySG ‘s amendments, the Structural Improvements Committee ( SIC ) determined that a process should exist that would cause charter amendments to be formally reviewed not only by the Board, but the ICANN community as well before being finalized.
The SIC has now asked the staff to seek community review and comment on the proposed process outlined above.
Section IV: Additional Information:
Comment / Reply Periods
- Comment Open Date: 22 June 2013
- Comment Close Date: 28 August 2013 – 23:59 UTC
- Reply Open Date: 29 August 2013
- Reply Close Date: 18 September 2013
