Powers in relation to UK-related domain name registries

DSIT will be commencing sections 19-21 of the Digital Economy Act 2010 (DEA 2010), which set out the Secretary of State’s powers of intervention in relation to internet domain name registries in the event when they fail to address serious, relevant abuses of their domain names, posing significant risk to the UK electronic communications networks and its users.

As part of this work, we are developing regulations which will set out the policies that the registries in scope of the powers should adhere to, to avoid the threshold being met that could trigger the potential exercise of the powers. The Regulations will include a list of misuses and unfair uses of domain names that registries in scope must take action to mitigate and deal with, and also cover the registry’s arrangements for dealing with complaints in connection with the domain names in scope.

This consultation will provide any interested parties with the opportunity to share their views on the draft list of misuses and unfair uses of domain names in scope that relevant registries will be required to continue having appropriate policies and procedures in place to address.

We are also seeking views on proposed principles which will underpin a dispute resolution procedure the registries will be required to have in place.

Read our consultation privacy notice.