A large number of high-value .uk domains were sold behind closed doors last weekend, without going through the usual public process. The addresses, which included sunset.uk, waterfall.uk and trending.uk, were due to expire shortly, after which they were supposed to be available to drip collectors on the open market. In this case, however, the domains were sold by the Fasthosts domain registrar even before they were publicly available. In at least one case, a Fasthosts customer was allowed to enter and renew an address. After community members noticed the unorthodox transactions, Fasthosts was forced to reverse the sales and reverse any transfers of ownership.
.Uk domain chaos
According to Michelle Stark, Fasthosts' sales and marketing manager, the domain sales were a simple "mistake," the product of "human error." He insisted that the company did not intend to deliberately give its own clients or affiliates an advantage in the process, but rather that one of the many inquiries related to soon-to-be-expired domains had been accidentally processed as part of a "one-time online transaction ". ". Nominet, the body that regulates domain names in the United Kingdom, intervened to explain the situation: "An error in the automated systems of Fasthosts led to the renewal of a small number of domains at the end of the expiration period without the registrant consent and no change to administrative contacts," the organization said. "We stepped in to ensure that all domains that were also transferred to different registrars are reinstated to the correct registrar. Fasthosts reversed the remainder this morning. However, the The watchdog does not appear to be intent on investigating exactly how the public process was circumvented by mistake Nominet's Code of Conduct Committee, set up specifically to review incidents like this, is supposed to meet at least every twelve months However , the organization has repeatedly avoided questions about the date of the group's last meeting, and there is little evidence to show that a committee meeting took place. The organization has also been in the spotlight of late for its decision to seize control of overdue properties, which has reportedly seen several million pounds funneled into Nominet's coffers, where its members reportedly reaped the rewards. Nominet was then forced to withdraw its plans after a consultation process made it clear that many stakeholders were unhappy with the change. While the industry body has repeatedly stated its commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive domain marketplace in the UK, smaller players might wonder if the watchdog has their best interests at heart. through registration