Nominet, who operate the .uk domain registry are soon to be releasing a
number of previously reserved short domain names (1 and 2 character).
They'll be accepting applications from midday 1200 GMT on 1 December
2010. You cannot apply before this time.
The release process will be in several phases;
1) Registered Rights Sunrise phase
The Registered Rights Sunrise phase for the release of reserved short
domains will open at midday 1200 GMT on 1 December 2010, lasting until
midday 1200 GMT on 17 January 2011, and the IP rights validation process
will close at midday 1200 GMT on 31 January.
The Registered Rights Sunrise phase is for the holders of registered
trade marks enforceable in the UK exactly matching the short domain
being made available (excluding the suffix co.uk, org. uk etc)
2) Unregistered Rights Sunrise phase
The Unregistered Rights Sunrise phase is for (i) any person who would
have qualified for the first sunrise but missed the application deadline
and (ii) the holders of unregistered rights enforceable in the UK
exactly matching the short domain being made available and in force as
of 1 January 2008 AND who can provide evidence of bona fide use in the
UK on or before 1 January 2008, to the satisfaction of an independent IP
rights validation assessor.
This phase will be announced early in 2011.
3) Landrush
Following the two sunrises, there will be a period of open application
for any domain names not previously registered through the Registered
Rights Sunrise or the Unregistered Rights Sunrise.
Dates for this are TBA
It should be noted that for any domain where there are multiple requests
(and frankly I'm sure that will be for pretty much EVERY 1 and 2
character domain name), Nominet will then hold an auction.
Full details, with video, can be found here;
http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/aboutdomainnames/reserved Paul
www.101domains.com