It is a Go for ‘dotScot’
‘Deal reached’ on .scot internet domain
SCOTLAND is set to receive its own internet domain after an international authority gave permission for the country to have its own unique web addresses. Not-for-profit company Dot Scot Registry (DSR) has announced that it has agreed terms with international regulators to operate a new .scot domain.
The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) has given the go-ahead for website addresses ending in “.scot”, as an alternative to “.co.uk” and “.com”, following a campaign by the not-for-profit company Dot Scot Registry (DSR). The internet domain for Scotland could be available in time for this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Set up two years ago to push for a Scottish internet domain, the DSR has received backing from the likes of First Minister Alex Salmond, actor Sir Sean Connery and entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer, who believe the “.scot” ending will help promote Scottish culture and identity.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “2014 is an exciting year for Scotland, and I’m delighted that this distinct online identity for the nation, and all who take an interest in Scotland, will become available this summer.
“The .scot domain is long overdue in this digital age, and the worldwide family of Scots who have been waiting patiently since it was first proposed, will soon be able to have this marvellously expressive domain as their online identity of choice.”
Gavin McCutcheon, director of Dot Scot Registry, said:
“Scotland and Scottishness conveys a whole range of positive connotations, which could not really be portrayed on the web before, but with a .scot domain there will be a new option anyone involved in Scottish business, arts and culture and others to identify themselves more clearly as Scottish to the online world.
“We aim to make .scot domains as affordable as possible and our not-for-profit structure means we will be able to do so.
“We hope that .scot will become the first choice for the worldwide family of Scots, allowing them to demonstrate for the first time their affinity to Scotland and for Scottish societies and organisations wherever they are in the world to make .scot their home on the internet.”
“Scotland is a great country, with a great reputation all over the world and having a dotSCOT domain will allow people and organisations to clearly identify themselves with that.”
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