This week Nominet received an instruction from theMetropolitan Police's Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) to take downaround 1200 .co.uk domain names. These domain names have been underinvestigation for criminal activity.

As part of Operation Papworth, the PCeU have targeted web sites runby organised criminal networks that purported to sell designeritems - clothes, jewellery and electronic goods. Many of the sitesinvolved supplied counterfeit goods or in some cases simply failedto supply any goods to the consumers who placed orders.

This is a positive note for consumers and brand owners.