Nominet, the national registry for UK domain names, is planning to change the way it settles disputes between website owners and so-called cybersquatters.

According to Nominet, it has handled over 1,400 disputes involving.uk domain names through its Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) since 2001.

Using the DRS, if a web user thinks a domain name registration has caused them harm, they can seek for the registration to be cancelled, suspended or given to them so that they can control how the domain name is used.

Nominet has proposed several changes to make the DRS more flexible and more transparent, including giving people more time to submit an appeal notice and simplifying the rules on disputes regarding tribute and criticism sites by removing the reversal of the burden of proof.

Lesley Cowley, managing director at Nominet, said: "Our Dispute Resolution Service was the first service of its kind to pioneer the concept of mediation in domain name disputes. But the internet continues to evolve and grow and we have to ensure that the DRS keeps pace with those changes."

"The new proposals are designed to both simplify the process and clarify the guidelines for the handling of new types of domain name issues," added Cowley.

Another proposal includes a new category of abusive registration aimed to help those whose web designer or ISP has registered a domain name in their own name rather than their customer's name. Changes to the DRS are scheduled to be implemented this autumn.

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