The new shorter, sharper domain for UK based sites
This is an all-new domain name extension which is design to be shorter and to the point. It doesn't affect or replace existing .co.uk, .org.uk .me.uk or any other existing .uk extensions which remain valid and available.
Unlike any other new domain name launch, there is a process which guarantees the rights to new .uk domain name extensions for up to 5 years. This helps ensure that your brand can secure and use it before someone else has the ability to register it.
There is a cut-off date of 28th October 2013 23:59, and there is the launch date of 10th June 2014 08:00. Rights to registration ends in June 2019 where unsecured .uk domains are available for general registration.
We recognise that the launch process is like no other before. We have tried to describe the process as simply as possible below. In addition you can download the official registration rules here.
If there was no equivalent .co.uk on the cut-off date
(e.g. www.example.org.uk existed but www.example.co.uk did not)
If an equivalent .co.uk existed on the cut-off date
(e.g. www.example.org.uk existed and www.example.co.uk existed)
If there was no equivalent .co.uk or .org.uk on the cut-off date
(e.g. www.example.me.uk existed but www.example.co.uk did not)
If an equivalent .co.uk or .org.uk existed on the cut-off date
(e.g. www.example.me.uk existed and www.example.co.uk existed)
Please make reference to the rights tool facility to confirm if you have rights to an equivalent .uk domain.
We have provided easy access to the Nominet Rights Tool which clearly states who, if anyone, has first rights refusal to the .uk version. Simply enter your domain name (eg example.co.uk) and confirmation will be shown. You cannot register the .uk domain until registration opens on the 10th June 2014 at 08:00.
As long as the rights tool doesn't confirm that another domain has automatic rights (eg icukicukicukicuk), then by simply registering a .co.uk you have secured that right. From the 10th June 2014 at 08:00 you can submit a further order to register the .uk domain and start to use it.
Assuming no other domain has automatic rights over the .uk you want to secure you can choose not to act until general availability starts on the 14th June 2014 at 08:00. Should someone follow our advice in step 2, above, they will have then secured rights. If you feel confident that this won't happen, then simply wait for June.
Simply enter your existing .co.uk / .org.uk / .me.uk domain, or the domain you were hoping to secure, and should any existing rights apply they will be confirmed for you below. It's the quickest way to understand who, if anyone, has first refusal on a .uk domain once available from June 2014.
