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USACM Policy Brief

Internet Governance

Background

The future of the Internet is being shaped by organizations that develop technical standards, set policies, and manage the Internet address system, often without the full participation of the global Internet community. USACM continues to defend educational, scientific, and non-profit interests and will work to ensure that the Internet continuously develops as a communications medium beneficial to all members of the global Internet community. Regarding ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), USACM has urged the organization to focus on its core technical mission, to work more closely with the technical community, and to be more democratic by electing at least half of its representatives from the public.

USACM Statement

USACM Activities

USACM recently joined over 50 other organizations from 22 countries around the world to urge the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to limit the use and scope of the WHOIS database. (October 28, 2003)
USACM's Internet Governance Committee released a white paper entitled "Internet Governance: A View from the Trenches, Participation Needed for Successful Advocacy in the ICANN Arena". The report was prepared by the project director, Kathryn Kleiman, and reviewed by USACM. Funding for the report was provided by grant from Ford Foundation's Media, Arts and Culture unit. July 28, 2003
Kathryn Kleiman, Director of ACM's Internet Governance Project (ACM-IGP) reports on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) four-day meeting in Shanghai. October 28-31, 2002
USACM sends letter to ICANN expressing concerns with the current state of Internet governance and the status of the Internet Corporation for Assigning Names and Numbers (ICANN). March 29, 2002
The ICANN board held a special telephone meeting and approved a controversial agreement that gives Verisign monopoly control over the .com registry until 2007, with the right to renew for a four year period. Members of Congress have asked the Commerce Department to review the issue. More information on ICANN can be found on our Internet Governance page. April 2, 2001
Dr. M. Stuart Lynn selected as new ICANN President and CEO. Dr. M. Stuart Lynn, ACM Fellow and former Publications Board Chair, has been selected to be the new ICANN President and CEO, replacing Mike Roberts. ICANN announcement. January 23, 2001
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Urged to Hold Hearings on new global Top Level Domains (gTLDs).ACM Past-President and USACM Co-chair Barbara Simons has co-signed a letter urging the NTIA of the U.S. Department of Commerce to hold public hearings regarding the new gTLDs and registries chosen by ICANN. The letter outlines concerns relating to the free speech implications of ICANN's decisions, the artificial scarcity imposed by approval of so few new gTLDs, and the lack of transparency throughout the decision process, among others. Other signers of the letter are Barry Steinhardt and Laura W. Murphy of the ACLU, Hans Klein of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, Andrew Shen of Electronic Privacy Information Center and A. Michael Froomkin of University of Miami (Florida) School of Law. More information on ICANN can be found on our Internet Governance page. January 17, 2001

Background

The ACM is broadly interested in issues affecting the growth and development of the Internet, including the creation and activities of organizations that develop technical standards, set policies, and otherwise influence the future of the Net. The ACM Internet Governance Committee, which was created in late 1998, took a lead role in creating the Non-Commercial Domain Name Holders' Constituency of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and in finalizing the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy. ACM views ICANN as a noble experiment still in formation, but one that may be going astray with an overabundance of interests concerned with commercial use of the Internet. The ACM invites our ACM community to join us in promoting the Internet has been as a communications medium for everyone and what we want it to be for our children.

In response to the Internet's increasing globalization and diversity, the US government privatized the management of Internet names and addresses in October 1998. Previously the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and Network Solutions, Inc managed these functions. In October 1998, the Department of Commerce established the ICANN - a private, non-profit organization - to assume responsibility for IP address space allocation, protocol parameter assignment, domain name system management, and root server system management. A Memorandum of Understanding established ICANN's authority.

ICANN has grappled with contentious policy issues, including domain name dispute resolution and the addition of new top level domains. Much debate has also centered upon ICANN's ability to remain transparent and accountable to the global Internet community.

The following documents provide useful information:
The Establishment of ICANN
- "Management of Internet Names and Addresses" (The White Paper)
- "Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Commerce and ICANN"
- ICANN Articles of Incorporation
- ICANN Bylaws (as of October 29, 1999)
The Domain Name Disputes
- Satellite Home Viewers Improvement Act of 1999 (Title III of H.R. 1554) and Intellectual Property and Communications Omnibus Reform Act of 1999 (Sec. 3002 of S. 1948)
- "The Future of the Domain Name System" Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, And Consumer Protection, Hearing on Electronic Commerce (June 10, 1998), by Kathryn A. Kleiman, ACM-IG member and General Counsel of the Domain Name Rights Coalition
Accountability and Transparency
- Vint Cerf, "The Internet is for Everyone"
- Small Business Association: a letter from the Office of Advocacy of the SBA to ICANN urging ICANN to improve public notification for proposed policies and extend comment periods
- Berkman Center Representation in Cyberspace Study: an analysis of possible individual and organizational at-large membership structures for ICANN
- "Democratic Internet Governance and Individual Rights" Speech to the Internet Executive Summit, Feb. 3, 1998, McLean, Virginia, by Kathryn Kleiman, ACM-IG member and then- General Counsel of the DNRC and Harold Feld, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary, DNRC
Organizations Interested in Internet Governance
ACM Committee on Internet Governance Charter

The ACM Committee on Internet Governance (ACM-IGC) concerns itself where AC and ACM members have particular expertise to offer or when the needs and/or rights of public constituencies, small players, or individuals may be at risk due to technology or technology policy. In particular, the ACM-IGC supports the principles expressed in Vint Cerf's internet draft, 'The Internet is for Everyone.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email usacm_dc@acm.org.

USACM Policy Brief

Internet Governance

Background

The Establishment of ICANN

The Domain Name Disputes

Accountability and Transparency

Organizations Interested in Internet Governance

ACM Committee on Internet Governance Charter