McLeod welcomes Scottish online branding initiative

 

This summer people, businesses and organisations in South West Scotland will have the opportunity to acquire and use immediately recognisable Scottish website and email addresses. It is understood that the new domain could be on general sale in time for this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

 

Dr McLeod commented:

 

“I am delighted that this marvellously expressive internet development will become available to the region’s businesses, organisations and people as their online identity of choice”.

 

She added:

 

“Dumfries and Galloway has a proud tradition of being “first in Scotland” and this branding tool will immediately confirm Dumfries & Galloway’s important strategic place in Scotland and all the positives connotations that brings. It is a welcome development that can help local businesses, increase tourism opportunities and reinforce the special place our region has in our nation’s history”

 

Dot Scot Registry (DSR), a Glasgow-based not-for-profit company, has agreed terms with the international regulatory authority, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), to operate the new dotSCOT internet domain.

 

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 dotSCOT 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 dotSCOT domains as affordable as possible and our not-for-profit structure means we will be able to do so.”

 

Notes to Editors:

 

·         The campaign for a Scottish top-level internet domain began in 2005.

·         Dot Scot Registry (DSR) was formed in 2009 as a not-for-profit enterprise, and its directors serve in a voluntary capacity. For more information on DSR go to www.dotscot.net

·         Notification of the contract agreement will appear on the ICANN website during Monday 27 January. www.icann.org

·         The new Scottish domain is part of the ICANN-approved expansion generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) which are intended as alternatives to existing domains such as dotCOM, dotORG, and dotNET. The new wave includes dotSCOT, dotLONDON, dotBERLIN, and dotWALES.