Nominet UK - my new penpal

Have you ever wondered what sceptics do on a Saturday evening?

Yes, so have I.

Wherever they went tonight, they didn't invite me along, so I've had time for another complaint-a-thon.

Nominet is the body which "registers" all UK websites whose URLs end with .co.uk

Non-trading individuals are allowed to opt out of having their names and addresses on display for all the world to see, but that privilege doesn't apply to professionals.

An anonymous contributor recently pointed out that Michele Knight had incorrectly opted out. I'm delighted to say that, having been informed, she quickly corrected her mistake.

It got me thinking, though - how many of the woos featuring on this site have also "forgotten" to comply with Nominet's regulations?

(Image credit - this isn't a real form)

The answer is four. And here they are!

UPDATE, 12 Apr: Nominet took all of fifty-two minutes to investigate all four complaints. They reply "[we] have issued notice to the registrant and registrar that the address details for the domain name will be opted in to the WHOIS unless changes are made so that the domain name meets the opt-out criteria." Hats off to Nominet!

Bill Sohan (see my original complaint)

"Bill Sohan uses this site to promote his 'Psychic Readings' service.
Readings are provided by post, and in person.
The site does not list fees, but asks for 'Contributions)'
(see http://www.billlynneharry.co.uk/faqs/how-do-you-support-yourself-then)
Paid advertisements for the service have appeared in "Nexus" magazine"

Vanessa Jones (see my original complaint)

"Vanessa Jones uses this site to promote her commercial "reflexology" healing service. The site lists her fees (http://www.reflexologybyvanessa.co.uk/prices.php)"

Liz Levelle (see my original complaint)

"Liz Levelle uses this site to promote her services as a homeopath and a naturopath.
The site list her fee as £90 per hour.
Paid advertisements for her services have appeared in "Kindred Spirit" magazine."

'Geoffrey Ronning' (see my original complaint)

"This site promotes a miracle weight-loss cure.
The package sells for £69."

The next time you visit a pseudoscientific or supernatural practicioner at a .co.uk address, don't forget to check that they've revealed their name and address.

If they haven't, here's the form to help them rectify their "error"!

Geoffrey Ronning - remote weight-loss hypnotist

Miracle weight loss programme. Hypnosis. "Zero Willpower Required". You know the drill.

(Image credit)

The advertiser's website resembles one of those American marketing "reports" which have been imported into the UK unchanged, except for the substitution of pound signs for dollars.

Usual ASA complaint follows.

"I write to complain about an advert in "Healthy" magazine (April 2010, Issue 77, p151). I understand that the magazine is sold exclusively in Holland & Barrett stores.

The advert, for www.simpleweightlosszerosecret.co.uk, promotes a "weight loss hypnosis system".

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of four sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

2. The CAP Code, Section 50.1, states "Medical and scientific claims made about beauty and health-related products should be backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people..."

3. The CAP Code, Section 51.1, states "Any claims made for the effectiveness or action of a weight reduction method or product should be backed if appropriate by rigorous trials on people..."

4. Under Sections 3.1, 50.1 and 51.1, I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims; I challenge whether the claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people; and I challenge whether the claims made for the effectiveness of the product are backed if appropriate by rigorous trials on people:

(i) The hypnosis system can "slash your weight"

(ii) "Zero Willpower [is] Required" when using the hypnosis system

(iii) The hypnosis system "Will Turbo Boost Your Metabolism"

(iv) The hypnosis system offers "Incredible Fast Natural Results"

5. The CAP Code, Section 51.8, states "Marketing communications for diet aids should make clear how they work. Prominence must be given to the role of the diet and marketing communications should not give the impression that dieters cannot fail or can eat as much as they like and still lose weight."

6. Under Section 51.8, I challenge whether the advertiser:

(i) Makes clear how the hypnosis system works

(ii) Gives prominence to the role of the diet

(iii) Gives the impression that dieters cannot fail or can eat as much as they like and still lose weight

7. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, the magazine, or with the publishing and weight-loss industries in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

8. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."