As you may be aware, Nominet (the registry for all dot-uk domains) now makes available registrations at the second level. This means you can now register your-company.uk, as well as or instead of your-company.co.uk — or even your-name.org.uk and other third-level domains.
As part of this process they have determined that existing owners of dot-co.uk domains have the first “right of registration” to a dot-uk domain corresponding to their existing dot-co.uk registration. In other words, if you are already the registrant of something.co.uk, you have the first right of registration to something.uk, before someone who might own something.org.uk, for example. However, this right expires on 24 June 2019. After that date anyone will be able to register any dot-uk domain, even if it is the same as your existing dot-co.uk domain, but without the “.co” part.
If you register a dot-uk domain corresponding to an existing dot-co.uk domain you will have several options with respect to the hosting of your website(s) and/or email. If you host with NinerNet, please contact us to discuss your options, or contact your hosting company if you do not host with NinerNet. If you do host with NinerNet, we can “alias” your new dot-uk domain to your existing dot-co.uk (or dot-org.uk) domain for no additional hosting charges.
If you would like to register any or all of the second-level dot-uk domains to which you are entitled, please contact us and we will work with you to register it/them before the deadline.
