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    Dear ISOC Chapter leaders,<br>
    <br>
    Nominet has recently conducted a consultation on a proposal
    involving registration of domains directly at the second level, thus
    changing the current system of having a limited second level set of
    domains and allowing registration at third level.<br>
    The proposals go further than this change: they are linked to
    proposals for the new second level domains to be somehow certified
    and certify content under those domains, which is a big change to
    the function of a Registry.<br>
    Proposals are found here:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nominet.org.uk/sites/default/files/Nominet_FINAL_electronic_form3_0.pdf">http://www.nominet.org.uk/sites/default/files/Nominet_FINAL_electronic_form3_0.pdf</a><br>
    <br>
    This might be a landmark proposal since other ccTLD operators might
    wish to propose a similar service. Please note the "ccTLD" - Country
    Code Top Level Domain, which is different in status and function to
    the "gTLD" - Generic TLD.<br>
    <br>
    With the importance of this issue being so high, ISOC England has
    encouraged its members to provide input for a consolidated statement
    from ISOC England to be submitted to the consultation process. The
    member consultation took a month; a final statement was drafted and
    finally submitted yesterday. The Web page which holds a copy of the
    statement includes a comment box which allows our members to support
    or show their disapproval (in some cases) the Statement, in addition
    to the statement having been drafted directly from member input.<br>
    <br>
    Please be so kind to find the statement appended in the message
    below.<br>
    <br>
    I would like to thank the ISOC England Leadership Team for the help
    in drafting this with Christian de Larrinaga in particular having
    been a very strong co-pen-holder.<br>
    <br>
    I am sharing this with you here since it might be of interest in
    future consultations.<br>
    <br>
    Kind regards,<br>
    <br>
    Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond<br>
    ISOC England Chair<br>
    <div class="moz-forward-container"><br>
      <br>
      -------- Original Message --------
      <table class="moz-email-headers-table" border="0" cellpadding="0"
        cellspacing="0">
        <tbody>
          <tr>
            <th valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap">Subject:
            </th>
            <td>ISOC England Chapter Statement regarding direct.uk
              consultation</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <th valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap">Date: </th>
            <td>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:25:09 +0100</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <th valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap">From: </th>
            <td>ISOC England <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:contact@isoc-e.org"><contact@isoc-e.org></a></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <th valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap">To: </th>
            <td>direct.uk <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:direct@nominet.org.uk"><direct@nominet.org.uk></a></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <th valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap">CC: </th>
            <td>ISOC England <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:contact@isoc-e.org"><contact@isoc-e.org></a></td>
          </tr>
        </tbody>
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      <br>
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      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"
        id="internal-source-marker_0.5154044997502077"></span>
      <p>Dear Sir/Madam,<br>
      </p>
      <p>please be so kind to find below the comments from the English
        Chapter of the Internet Society, on the Nominet Consultation for
        direct.uk .<br>
        Publication of this Statement is found on our Web Site: <a
          moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
          href="http://www.isoc-e.org/uk-sld/">http://www.isoc-e.org/uk-sld/</a><br>
      </p>
      <p>Warm regards,<br>
      </p>
      <p>Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond<br>
        ISOC England Chair<br>
        <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
          href="mailto:contact@isoc-e.org">contact@isoc-e.org</a><br>
      </p>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"
        id="internal-source-marker_0.5154044997502077"><br>
        <br>
        <br>
        STATEMENT OF THE INTERNET SOCIETY ENGLAND CHAPTER</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The

        English Chapter of the Internet Society (</span><a
        moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.internetsociety.org.uk"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">www.internetsociety.org.uk</span></a><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">)
        thanks the members, board and staff of Nominet UK for the
        invitation to comment on their important proposal for
        substantial changes to the management of the UK domain name
        system known as direct.uk. </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The

        Society has conducted a consultation of its own members which is
        summarised below. <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Summary</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">In

        this paper we shall be touching on the following:</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Double

            registration of domains</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Trademark

            Issues</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Loss

            of Hierarchy</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Is

            .uk in UK?</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Lack

            of justification for proposal</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Operational

            Risk</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">DNSSEC

            Adoption</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Legality

            under Digital Economy Act 2010</span></li>
        <li dir="ltr"
style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Second

            level UK Domain Policy</span></li>
      </ul>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
      </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Double-registering

        of domain name space</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        Some members think direct.uk has the potential for making domain
        names shorter. </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">However


        there is considerable concern that current holders of .co.uk and
        .xx.uk (where xx is a second level domain) are affected
        negatively in two ways: </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Legitimate


        added value of active domains can be affected negatively. For
        registrants, this introduces a need to register a second level
        domain themselves for an additional fee, should they wish to
        safeguard their invested trade.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        This is seen very negatively as being motivated by Nominet
        looking to sell more domain<br class="kix-line-break">
        names to organisations having already registered under .uk via
        the current second level domains.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Secondly,


        registrants of active .co.uk domains have invested in their
        online branding, search engine listings and other directory
        services. Some search engines prioritise listings by keywords
        found in domain names under higher levels of the domain name
        system, i.e. second level before third level.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">As


        commercial entities they are likely to view entries in direct.uk
        as potential passing off opportunities and will wish to register
        themselves in direct.uk as well. Those who succeed will end up
        paying twice for no added benefit compared to prior to
        introduction of direct .uk registrations. Those who do not
        register under direct.uk will end up risking confusion in their
        online brand.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Trademark

        Issues</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">How


        will Nominet ensure trademarks are managed for direct.uk, in
        particular where there are trademarks across different classes
        held by different entities with one holding the mark in .co.uk
        and others wishing to register in direct.uk?<br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Loss

        of Hierarchy</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        Concerns are being raised that the UK Namespace which until now
        is well ordered with second level domains (such as .org.uk,
        .gov.uk, .ac.uk, .co.uk etc. ) representing distinctive
        communities will lose the ability to discern whether a domain
        originated from an educational establishment, government or a
        company as the current second level domain service indicates.
        This blurring of lines was seen as not favouring the public
        interest.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">But


        with proposed direct.uk second level domains looking to have
        special security status, the clear hierarchy appears to be
        reversed - the non- hierarchical name-space being
        counter-intuitively marketed as "better" protected. How will
        direct.uk distinguish security policies for SLDs from new direct
        domains so that the market is not confused in the UK or<br
          class="kix-line-break">
        internationally?<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Is

        .uk in UK?</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">While


        recognising the urgency of the need to give greater confidence
        that the use of .uk means that the registrant is subject to UK
        law, the status today is that residency of .uk services cannot
        be determined. Clearly some work needs to be done in order to
        clarify this situation.  ISOC England is willing to work with
        interested parties into future consultations to explore and
        establish potential solutions for this matter.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">In


        the meantime, it is widely believed even by a "security expert"
        on the BBC Today Program in late November 2012 that a .uk domain
        means the site is in the UK. </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The


        uncertainty this imposes on users suggests there is a need to
        give greater confidence of what jurisdiction a service using .uk
        is operating. Direct uk does not appear to offer a solution to
        this issue. </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">How

        can Nominet correct this false impression for .uk when it is
        promoting<br class="kix-line-break">
        direct.uk domains as having a UK physical contact address but
        with no guarantee of UK resident Internet services? Can Nominet
        explain how a postal mail PIN delivery process adds value for
        direct.uk domains and will not continue to confuse the market?
        Will users really distinguish between the values of a .co.uk? a
        .ltd.uk and a direct.uk domain?<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Lack

        of justification for proposal</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nominet


        has not justified why direct registrations under .uk are needed.
        The security mechanisms could just as easily be provided under a
        new or existing SLD such as ltd.uk or plc.uk which are both low
        volume and limited community managed zones.<br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Operational

        Risk</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Is

        it the role of a ccTLD operator to offer such services as
        malware scanning on third party networks and so forth?</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        Nominet has not shown why as a ccTLD operator it should be both
        delegated authority for domain of .uk AND the regulator of the
        .uk Register AND now add further roles in regulating content and
        services of devices on other networks which may resolve for
        direct.uk domains as well as others.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">DNS


        resolution is a best effort service on the Internet. However
        malware scanning of third party devices implies quality of
        service metrics and so could be open to substantial risk of
        damages. Such damages could arise from any part of the world,
        from users, from registrars, from<br class="kix-line-break">
        network operators, from registrants or service providers. It
        could arise from faulty scans, damage caused by scans or where
        scans were legitimately blocked by local providers and
        expectations of users of "security" were falsely raised.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Risk

        of legal action from non best effort services would be a
        substantial change in the business model and Risk for .uk.<br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        We should note that the increase in risk from litigation for
        damages from anywhere in the world could be so substantial as to
        weaken the robustness of the .uk Domain Name System as a whole
        including existing SLDs.<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        How can Nominet justify adding such unquantifiable risks within
        the operations of a private sector entity operating as a ccTLD
        registry for the UK?<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">DNSSEC

        Adoption</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        Security of the .uk domain space and its reputation can be
        improved substantially through the adoption of DNSSEC. In 2010
        the Nominet board signed .uk on behalf of all .uk but into 2013
        take up by service providers, registrars, and users remains low.<br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        More work and investment is needed in the UK to seed research
        and services to improve awareness, tools, training and
        infrastructure support for DNSSEC for all .uk domains.<br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        The opportunity exists to expand security for all .uk domains
        using DNSSEC and it is questionable policy to restrict emphasis
        for security to direct.uk domains.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">How


        will the direct.uk project avoid being a distraction to a key
        priority of promoting DNSSEC security services for all .uk
        domains?<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Compatibility

        with Digital Economy Act 2010</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        Would Nominet's proposed move to make registrations directly
        under .uk make implementation of the Digital Economy Act 2010
        Sections 19, 20 and 21 by the Government more complicated and
        costly?</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><a
          moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/24/crossheading/powers-in-relation-to-internet-domain-registries">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/24/crossheading/powers-in-relation-to-internet-domain-registries</a><br
          class="kix-line-break">
      </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Second

        level UK Domain Policy</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        direct.uk has put current SLD policy as of March 2004 in
        disarray irrespective of outcome of consultation. </span><a
        moz-do-not-send="true"
        href="http://www.uksld.org.uk/page/procedure.html"><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">http://www.uksld.org.uk/page/procedure.html</span></a><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">It


        is not clear following direct.uk proposal how community-led SLDs
        are intended to be established and function under .uk going
        forward. </span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        As a reminder:</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        .co.uk, .ltd.uk, .me.uk, .net.uk, .nic.uk, .org.uk, .plc.uk and
        .sch.uk are managed by Nominet UK. <br class="kix-line-break">
        .gov.uk, .mil.uk, .ac.uk, .mod.uk, .nhs.uk, .parliament.uk,
        .police.uk, .bl.uk, .british-library.uk, .jet.uk and .nls.uk are
        not.<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Implementation

        Phase</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Some


        contributions from ISOC England members make suggestions about
        implementation phase - and these may be premature. One example
        is for the direct.uk proposal to preserve the rights of the
        current .co.uk users by providing the second level domain
        registration at a discounted cost-recovery basis fee to current
        holders of the third level registrations. Alternatively, current
        third level registrations could be kept in a "reserved" list so
        as for second level registrations to  avoid clashing.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Should


        direct .uk move towards implementation, the complexity and
        uncertainties so far raised indicate that a fresh outreach
        consultation will be needed.<br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
      </span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Conclusion</span><span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br
          class="kix-line-break">
        <br class="kix-line-break">
        In conclusion, the English chapter of the Internet Society urges
        caution regarding the direct.uk proposals. In the absence of
         consensus for direct .uk and in view of the risk to stability
        of uk domain name system the conclusion is NOT to implement
        direct .uk plans to shorten domains as proposed.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Should


        the proposed security mechanisms be justified they could just as
        easily be provided under a new or existing SLD such as ltd.uk or
        plc.uk which are both low volume and limited community managed
        zones.This would be more consistent with the well established
        management of the UK domain name space.</span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"></span><br>
      <span
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Stability


        and Security of Internet services is an important priority for
        users. The chapter would prefer enhanced support for the
        deployment of core Internet protocols that can provide users
        across the whole of .uk with improved security such as DNSSEC.
        The benefits of malware scanning as proposed do not appear to be
        core to ccTLD operations nor likely to be dependable for users.</span><br>
      <br>
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