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'''Nominet''' maintains the registry for .uk domain names, managing over ten million domain names.<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/about/background/ About Nominet]</ref> It is also the registry operator for the [[.wales]] and [[.cymru]] [[GeoTLD]]s.  

'''Nominet''' maintains the [[registry]] for [[.uk]] [[domain name]]s, managing over ten million domain names.<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/about/background/ About Nominet]</ref> It is also the registry operator for the [[.wales]] and [[.cymru]] [[GeoTLD]]s.  

===Nominet Trust===

===Nominet Trust===

Nominet has launched a charitable foundation, the '''Nominet Trust''',<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/2008/?contentId=4709 Nominet launches a charitable trust]</ref> as it has been creating a profit surplus on its ordinary operations since 2003; its constitution forbids it from distributing surplus funds to members in the manner of a commercial company paying dividends, and so it turned to charitable activities as a means of running down the excess funds. In September 2008, Nominet's board made an initial donation of £5m to its charitable offshoot,<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/2008/?contentId=5627 Nominet Foundation Trustees appointed]</ref> which will support "education, research and the funding of suitable projects for the benefit of UK internet stakeholders". Since its founding, the trust has raised and invested over 10 million pounds in 170+ projects that have aimed to help the disadvantaged and strengthen communities.<ref>[http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/11729/nominet_trust_invests_2m_in_new_social_investment_projects Nominet Trust Invests 2 m in New SOcial Investment Projects, CivilSociety.co.uk]</ref>

Nominet has launched a charitable foundation, the '''Nominet Trust''',<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/2008/?contentId=4709 Nominet launches a charitable trust]</ref> as it has been creating a profit surplus on its ordinary operations since 2003; its constitution forbids it from distributing surplus funds to members in the manner of a commercial company paying dividends, and so it turned to charitable activities as a means of running down the excess funds. In September 2008, Nominet's board made an initial donation of £5m to its charitable offshoot,<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/2008/?contentId=5627 Nominet Foundation Trustees appointed]</ref> which will support "education, research and the funding of suitable projects for the benefit of UK internet stakeholders". Since its founding, the trust has raised and invested over 10 million pounds in 170+ projects that have aimed to help the disadvantaged and strengthen communities.<ref>[http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/11729/nominet_trust_invests_2m_in_new_social_investment_projects Nominet Trust Invests 2 m in New Social Investment Projects, CivilSociety.co.uk]</ref>

In October, 2011, Nominet held auctions of short .co.uk domains, which brought in over 3 million pounds for its Nominet Trust.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/03/google_shortname_bid/ Google Shortname Bid, TheRegister.co.uk]</ref>

In October, 2011, Nominet held auctions of short .co.uk domains, which brought in over 3 million pounds for its Nominet Trust.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/03/google_shortname_bid/ Google Shortname Bid, TheRegister.co.uk]</ref>

Nominet Trust is a sponsor of [[ISOC]]'s Next Generation Leaders Programme, which is an academic program, launched in 2010 in conjunction with the [[DiploFoundation]], intended to further the skills of promising Internet professionals and individuals working in Internet governance.<ref>[http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=2450 Newsletter, ISOC.org]</ref>

Nominet Trust is a sponsor of [[ISOC]]'s Next Generation Leaders Programme, which is an academic program, launched in 2010 in conjunction with the [[DiploFoundation]], intended to further the skills of promising Internet professionals and individuals working in Internet governance.<ref>[http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=2450 Newsletter, ISOC.org]</ref>

March, 2012 marked the single largest funding round for Nominet Trust, bringing in over 2 million pounds that is to be distributed over 13 projects and other participations.<ref>[http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/11729/nominet_trust_invests_2m_in_new_social_investment_projects Nominet Trust Invests 2 m in New SOcial Investment Projects, CivilSociety.co.uk]</ref>

March, 2012 marked the single largest funding round for Nominet Trust, bringing in over 2 million pounds that is to be distributed over 13 projects and other participations.<ref>[http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/11729/nominet_trust_invests_2m_in_new_social_investment_projects Nominet Trust Invests 2 m in New Social Investment Projects, CivilSociety.co.uk]</ref>

One supported project is "Make IT Happy, Mak IT Safe", which is a resource outreach program to make available lesson plans for teachers to educate on computer and Internet safety and capabilities. Their is a country-wide contest that invovles creating an infographic.<ref>[http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/about/ About, MakeITHappy, cc4g.net]</ref>

One supported project is "Make IT Happy, Make IT Safe", which is a resource outreach program to make available lesson plans for teachers to educate on computer and Internet safety and capabilities. There is a country-wide contest that involves creating an infographic.<ref>[http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/about/ About, MakeITHappy, cc4g.net]</ref>

==New gTLDs==

==New gTLDs==

In April 2016 it was announced that Nominet had been chosen by Minds =+ Machines as registry services provider<ref>http://www.nominet.uk/minds-machines-group-limited-outsourcing-agreements/</ref>

In April 2016 it was announced that Nominet had been chosen by [[Minds + Machines]] as registry services provider<ref>http://www.nominet.uk/minds-machines-group-limited-outsourcing-agreements/</ref>

Nominet announced in November, 2011 that it was becoming a [[registry]] operator for new gTLD ventures.<ref>[http://tld.nominet.org.uk/ TLD.Nominet.org.uk]</ref>

Nominet announced in November, 2011 that it was becoming a [[registry]] operator for new [[gTLD]] ventures.<ref>[http://tld.nominet.org.uk/ TLD.Nominet.org.uk]</ref>

Nominet has been chosen by the Welsh government to provide the registry functions for [[.cymru]] and [[.wales]] in [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]]. The company contracted [[Beaufort Research]] in order to discover what their stakeholders would like done with the Welsh TLDs. They released a questionnaire, with questions relating to policy, pricing and perceived demand.<ref>[http://www.internetnews.me/2012/06/06/nominet-doing-market-research-on-wales-and-cymru/ Nominet Doing Market Research On .Wales and .Cymru, internetnews.me]</ref>

Nominet has been chosen by the Welsh government to provide the registry functions for [[.cymru]] and [[.wales]] in [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]]. The company contracted [[Beaufort Research]] in order to discover what their stakeholders would like done with the Welsh [[TLD]]s. They released a questionnaire, with questions relating to policy, pricing and perceived demand.<ref>[http://www.internetnews.me/2012/06/06/nominet-doing-market-research-on-wales-and-cymru/ Nominet Doing Market Research On .Wales and .Cymru, internetnews.me]</ref>

In September, 2011, the city of London's official promoter, London & Partners, announced it was seeking proposals to run a [[.london]] [[GeoTLD]]. Nominet intends to respond, saying that they would run the space on a not-for-profit basis and turn the profits around to worthy causes, as the Nominet Trust already does.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/21/dot_london_is_on_its_way/ DotLondon is on its way, TheRegister.co.uk]</ref> Other bids are expected from other English companies, such as [[CentralNic]]. [[Minds + Machines]] went on to win the project.

In September 2011, the city of London's official promoter, London & Partners, announced it was seeking proposals to run a [[.london]] [[GeoTLD]]. Nominet intends to respond, saying that they would run the space on a not-for-profit basis and turn the profits around to worthy causes, as the Nominet Trust already does.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/21/dot_london_is_on_its_way/ DotLondon is on its way, TheRegister.co.uk]</ref> Other bids are expected from other English companies, such as [[CentralNic]]. [[Minds + Machines]] went on to win the project.

===Language Issues===

===Language Issues===

In October, 2012, Nominet was criticized for using poor Welsh grammar and structure on its website for the Welsh TLDs. One Welsh tech blogger alleged that Google translate or a similar program to create the text. Nominet had previously promised to expand beyond its English-centric presence and establish an office in Wales with Welsh speakers.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10634-nominet-caught-using-google-translate-on-welsh-gtld-site Nominet Caught using Google Translate On Welsh gTLD Site, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

In October, 2012, Nominet was criticized for using poor Welsh grammar and structure on its website for the Welsh TLDs. One Welsh tech blogger alleged that Google translate or a similar program to create the text. Nominet had previously promised to expand beyond its English-centric presence and establish an office in Wales with Welsh speakers.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10634-nominet-caught-using-google-translate-on-welsh-gtld-site Nominet Caught using Google Translate On Welsh gTLD Site, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

There are a total of 15 SLDs after Nominet created judiciary.uk in November, 2011. Some of these extensions are reserved for special social sectors, such as the judiciary SLD.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/nominet-approves-judiciary-uk/ Nominet Approves Judiciary UK domainincite.com]</ref>

There are a total of 15 SLDs after Nominet created judiciary.uk in November, 2011. Some of these extensions are reserved for special social sectors, such as the judiciary SLD.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/nominet-approves-judiciary-uk/ Nominet Approves Judiciary UK domainincite.com]</ref>

In October, 2012, Nominet opened a 3 month comment period to gauge public interest in opening registration at the [[Second Level Domain|second-level]], thereby making ''example.uk'' a registrable address. Some of the proposed differences include: a higher price, £20 instead of £2.50; verification of actual UK-residence and contact information; the possibility of mandatory [[DNSSEC]]; and possible, limited [[registrar]] accreditation or selection.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10642-goodbye-to-co-nominet-ponders-releasing-second-level-uk-domains Goodby to Co Nominet Ponders releasing Second Level UK Domains, DomainIncite.com]</ref> [[ICANN]] regular, and CEO of Irish [[registrar]] [[Blacknight Internet Solutions Ltd]], [[Michele Neylon]] immediately logged a number of complaints with the proposals, which he sees as being "heavily influenced" by the law enforcement requests being made during ongoing discussions at ICANN over the [[Registrar Accreditation Agreement]].<ref>[http://www.internetnews.me/2012/10/01/nominet-sucking-up-to-law-enforcement-with-new-proposals/?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign= Nominet Sucking up To Law Enforcement with New Proposals, InternetNews.me]</ref> Many of his complaints can be seen [http://www.internetnews.me/2012/10/01/nominet-sucking-up-to-law-enforcement-with-new-proposals/?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign= here].

In October 2012, Nominet opened a 3 month comment period to gauge public interest in opening registration at the [[Second Level Domain|second-level]], thereby making ''example.uk'' a registrable address. Some of the proposed differences include: a higher price, £20 instead of £2.50; verification of actual UK-residence and contact information; the possibility of mandatory [[DNSSEC]]; and possible, limited [[registrar]] accreditation or selection.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10642-goodbye-to-co-nominet-ponders-releasing-second-level-uk-domains Goodby to Co Nominet Ponders releasing Second Level UK Domains, DomainIncite.com]</ref> [[ICANN]] regular, and CEO of Irish [[registrar]] [[Blacknight Internet Solutions Ltd]], [[Michele Neylon]] immediately logged a number of complaints with the proposals, which he sees as being "heavily influenced" by the law enforcement requests being made during ongoing discussions at ICANN over the [[Registrar Accreditation Agreement]].<ref>[http://www.internetnews.me/2012/10/01/nominet-sucking-up-to-law-enforcement-with-new-proposals/?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign= Nominet Sucking up To Law Enforcement with New Proposals, InternetNews.me]</ref> Many of his complaints can be seen [http://www.internetnews.me/2012/10/01/nominet-sucking-up-to-law-enforcement-with-new-proposals/?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign= here].

In February 2013, Nominet returned to say that it was not taking any immediate action on opening up to second-level registration, but that the idea was not abandoned wholesale. They are planning to respond to the feedback and revising their proposal to meet concerns. It will be researching how to give current registrants priority when delegating second-level .uk names, and how to improve the security of the entire namespace rather than just update anything at the second-level.<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/update-directuk Update DirectUk, Nominet.org.uk] Published & Retrieved 27 Feb 2013</ref>

In February 2013, Nominet returned to say that it was not taking any immediate action on opening up to second-level registration, but that the idea was not abandoned wholesale. They are planning to respond to the feedback and revising their proposal to meet concerns. It will be researching how to give current registrants priority when delegating second-level .uk names, and how to improve the security of the entire namespace rather than just update anything at the second-level.<ref>[http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/update-directuk Update DirectUk, Nominet.org.uk] Published & Retrieved 27 Feb 2013</ref>

==Awards==

==Awards==

* Webby Awards, ' People's voice best website, corporate communications' - 2015

* Webby Awards, ' People's voice best website, corporate communications' - 2015

* omen in IT Awards, 'Security champion of the year' - 2015

* Women in IT Awards, 'Security champion of the year' - 2015

* Sabre Communications campaign winner - 2013

* Sabre Communications campaign winner - 2013

* ouncil of European National Tope Level Domain Rregistries (CENTR), 'Security Award' - 2013

* Council of European National Tope Level Domain Registries (CENTR), 'Security Award' - 2013

* Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies To Work For in the not-for-profit sector - 2012.

* Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies To Work For in the not-for-profit sector - 2012.

* Best Companies Ltd., 'One to watch' - 2011

* Best Companies Ltd., 'One to watch' - 2011

==Freedom of Information Act==

==Freedom of Information Act==

In September, 2012, Nominet was accused of previously taking measures to evade the U.K.'s Freedom of Information Act. The apparent acts took place in 2008, when an employee of Nominet intentionally used personal email accounts, and recommended deleting old emails, to avoid having to submit to any public communication inquiries made possible by the FOIA. The correspondence in question seems to be related to restructuring efforts to the governance of [[.uk]], which was sought after by a section of the general public. If the correspondence is real it may go on to show that the government coordinated with Nominet to restructure the company and its governance in a more mutually beneficial manner.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19550952 UK Politics, BBC.co.uk]</ref>

In September 2012, Nominet was accused of previously taking measures to evade the U.K.'s Freedom of Information Act. The apparent acts took place in 2008, when an employee of Nominet intentionally used personal email accounts, and recommended deleting old emails, to avoid having to submit to any public communication inquiries made possible by the FOIA. The correspondence in question seems to be related to restructuring efforts to the governance of [[.uk]], which was sought after by a section of the general public. If the correspondence is real it may go on to show that the government coordinated with Nominet to restructure the company and its governance in a more mutually beneficial manner.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19550952 UK Politics, BBC.co.uk]</ref>

Nominet Chair, Baroness Rennie Fritchie, denied that the company conspired to restructure [[.uk]] governance, which resulted in an independent review, a restructuring of Nominet’s board, and powers for the government to take over the running of .uk being included in the Digital Economy Act of 2010. Nominet and Baroness Fritchie have stated that there was no such plans or outreach on behalf of Nominet regarding the restructuring, and that all efforts began on the part of the government, [[British Telecom]], and the Confederation of British Industry.

Nominet Chair, Baroness Rennie Fritchie, denied that the company conspired to restructure [[.uk]] governance, which resulted in an independent review, a restructuring of Nominet’s board, and powers for the government to take over the running of .uk being included in the Digital Economy Act of 2010. Nominet and Baroness Fritchie have stated that there was no such plans or outreach on behalf of Nominet regarding the restructuring, and that all efforts began on the part of the government, [[British Telecom]], and the Confederation of British Industry.