http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/24/section/19Digital Economy Act 2010An Act to make provision about the functions of the Office of Communications; to make provision about the online infringement of copyright and about penalties for infringement of copyright and performers' rights; to make provision about internet domain registries; to make provision about the functions of the Channel Four Television Corporation; to make provision about the regulation of television and radio services; to make provision about the regulation of the use of the electromagnetic spectrum; to amend the Video Recordings Act 1984; to make provision about public lending right in relation to electronic publications; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2024-08-27Expert Participation2024-08-23 19After section 124N of the Communications Act 2003 insert—124O1This section applies where the Secretary of State—ais satisfied that a serious relevant failure in relation to a qualifying internet domain registry is taking place or has taken place, andbwishes to exercise the powers under section 124P or 124R.2The Secretary of State must notify the internet domain registry, specifying the failure and a period during which the registry has the opportunity to make representations to the Secretary of State.3There is a relevant failure in relation to a qualifying internet domain registry if—athe registry, or any of its registrars or end-users, engages in prescribed practices that are unfair or involve the misuse of internet domain names, orbthe arrangements made by the registry for dealing with complaints in connection with internet domain names do not comply with prescribed requirements.4A relevant failure is serious, for the purposes of this section, if it has adversely affected or is likely adversely to affect—athe reputation or availability of electronic communications networks or electronic communications services provided in the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom, orbthe interests of consumers or members of the public in the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom.5In subsection (3) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.6Before making regulations under subsection (3) the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.7In this section and sections 124P to 124R—“end-user”, in relation to a qualifying internet domain registry, means a person who has been or wants to be allocated an internet domain name that is or would be included in the register maintained by the registry;“qualifying internet domain registry” means a relevant body that—maintains a relevant register of internet domain names, andoperates a computer program or server that forms part of the system that enables the names included in the register to be used to access internet protocol addresses or other information by means of the internet;“registrar”, in relation to a qualifying internet domain registry, means a person authorised by the registry to act on behalf of end-users in connection with the registration of internet domain names;“relevant body” means a company formed and registered under the Companies Act 2006 or a limited liability partnership;“relevant register of internet domain names” means a register of—the names of second level internet domains that form part of the same UK-related top level internet domain, orthe names of third level internet domains that form part of the same UK-related second level internet domain;“second level internet domain” means an internet domain indicated by the last two elements of an internet domain name;“third level internet domain” means an internet domain indicated by the last three elements of an internet domain name;“top level internet domain” means an internet domain indicated by the last element of an internet domain name.8An internet domain is “UK-related” if, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the last element of its name is likely to cause users of the internet, or a class of such users, to believe that the domain and its sub-domains are connected with the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom.S. 19 in force at 17.7.2023 for specified purposes by S.I. 2023/792, art. 2S. 19 in force at 6.4.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/792, art. 3(a)