The application process for the previously reserved short .uk domains began midday (GMT) today, 1 December. Initially there will be a Registered Rights Sunrise phase for trade mark holders. Other parties interested in owning a .uk domain will not be able to apply at this time.

During this phase the application process will consist of two stages.

Stage 1

Trade mark rights holders have until midday (GMT) on 17 January 2011 to apply for a domain that matches their trade mark via a Nominet registrar.

Stage 2

Applicants will then need to have their IP rights checked by CMS Cameron McKenna, the validation agent that Nominet will be using for the process. Applicants will need evidence of using the trade mark in the UK prior to 1 January 2008. The deadline for applying to CMS Cameron McKenna to have IP rights validated is midday (GMT) on 31 January 2011.

Full details of the application process are available including the schedule from the Nominet website.

Multiple applications: At each stage, where there are two or more qualifying applicants for a domain name, an open auction process will be used to decide the successful applicant, with any profits going to Nominet Trust.

The status of domain name applications can be checked from the 'sunrise WHOIS' tool available on the Nominet website. nominet advises that all applications and supporting evidence will be published.

If you are not a registered trade mark holder but are interested in registering a domain you will be able to apply at a future date that is yet to be announced. Once the Registered Rights Sunrise phase is complete Nominet advises that they will begin an Unregistered Rights sunrise phase followed by a final landrush phase. Nominet will announce when each of these phases open and publish information on how to apply in 2011.

www.nominet.org.uk