Nominet which runs the .Uk domain naming system, just opened up a comment period on whether .UK domain names should be allowed to contain “offensive words or phrases”.

“Nominet is today launching a review of its registration policy for .uk domain names. ”

“The scope of the review focuses on whether there should be restrictions on the words and expressions permitted in .uk domain name registrations.”

“The goal is to deliver a report to Nominet’s board in December of this year, which will be published shortly thereafter.”

We are now seeking contributions from the public via this online form in relation to this policy review.

Back in the 1990’s when Network Solutions was the only domain name registrar they had a policy prohibiting the registration of any domain name containing one of the seven dirty words (the classic George Carlin comedy Routine).

When other domain name registrar were allowed to compete with Network Solutions some of them allowed domains containing the “offensive words” to be registered.

DomainBank.com was the 1st registrar to allow such words to be registered as part of a domain name in 1999.

Of course if the standard is offensive words, the question is offensive to whom, who will make the determination and what happened to domain names already registered?

The domain name F*ck.co.uk has been registered since 1996, which is 3 years before any domain with the word F*ck was allowed to be registered as a .com.

If you would like to comment on this proposal you can click here