Firms warned to reregister Internet names

The UK's central domain name registrar, Nominet, has warned that companies risk losing their Web addresses and email accounts unless they reregister them.

Nominet MD, Willie Black, explained that since August 1996, all registering companies have had to pay for a two year subscription. Before then, registration was handled by Nominet's predecessor; the UK Naming Committee. Companies lucky enough to register before then are exempt from the renewal process.

Nominet will be sending out renewal applications when each company comes to the end of its two-year registration period.

In the first instance, Nominet is advising companies to direct any queries to their Internet service provider (ISP). However, a spokeswoman at UUNet UK, said: "All renewals will be handled exclusively by Nominet and all enquiries will be handed straight back to that organisation."

Any organisation concerned about their registration period - particularly if it has changed ISP recently, should go to Nominet's site for more information.