Over the past ten years, the Internet has evolved from a research network, funded largely by the U.S. Government, to a widely used commercial network employed by business, education, government, and private citizens around the world. In a similar way, the management of Internet domain names, which the U.S. Government controlled, is being privatized. The Global Internet Project fully supports the transition to a private, international, competitive system of managing domain names. The GIP believes that the successful implementation of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers' (ICANN) charter is the best available means to introduce competition into domain name management and to ensure the future stability of the Internet. We call on governments, commercial and non-commercial users, the Internet and international communities to support ICANN and to work together to develop a transparent domain name management process and to ensure it fairly reflects the interests of all stakeholders.
Background
A domain name is an alphabetical representation of an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Domain names are a quick, convenient, user-friendly method to navigate the World Wide Web. For example, if you want to visit the Global Internet Project website, you need only enter www.gip.org rather than remember its numerical IP address 207.233.189.6.
The Internet was made possible by U.S. Government investments in technology and communications networks by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other U.S. research agencies. Because the Internet matured and became a medium used by commercial and other entities, early in 1997 the U.S. Government announced its intention to privatize, increase competition in and promote international participation in the domain name system. The Department of Commerce issued a "white paper" soliciting public comment on the reform and privatization of the management of Internet domain names and in November 1998, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Internet Corporation for the Assignment of Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN is a private, not-for-profit corporation formed by a broad coalition of the Internet's business, user, technical and academic communities. Under the MoU, ICANN has agreed to work to manage the transition from government control to non-governmental control of the technical coordination of the domain name system, the allocation of IP addresses, the assignment of protocol parameters and the management of the root server system.
Creation of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
In many respects, ICANN is an unprecedented effort by Internet business, technical, non-commercial and academic communities to create a globally representative non-governmental policymaking entity. However, the transition of the Internet from a non-commercial, research network into a global vehicle for education, commerce, communication and social interaction will not occur without growing pains. Transitioning from government control to industry led Internet governance-which the GIP strongly supports- has and will continue to be bumpy, especially given the large number of stakeholders involved. But this should not divert the Internet community from pursuing the proper course: building a domain name system that preserves the need for competition and consumer choice, requires minimal government involvement, and commands broad based stakeholder support, all without disruption to the fundamental operations of the Internet.
Recommendations
The Global Internet Project (GIP) is committed to global private sector leadership in the burgeoning field of the Internet and electronic commerce. The GIP fully supports the creation of a private, competitive system of administering Internet domain names (DNS), Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and operation of the root servers. Specifically, the GIP supports:
1. administration of the domain name system by the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) - a new, international,
private sector, not-for-profit corporation;
2. a strong, stable and secure Internet, including professional and
secure management of the root server system;
3. participation by all stakeholders in ICANN in order to avoid capture
by any one interest;
4. rapid introduction of competition in the provision of domain name
registration services; and,
5. adoption of policies to reduce conflicts between trademark holders and
domain name registrants.
The GIP believes that the successful implementation of ICANN's charter is the best available means to introduce competition into domain name management and to ensure the future stability of the Internet. To do so legitimately and effectively, ICANN must provide an open, transparent process.
We call on governments, commercial and non-commercial users, the Internet and international communities to support ICANN and to work together to ensure it fairly reflects the interests of all stakeholders. We call upon ICANN to implement the White Paper objectives and to serve as an independent group that engages the entire Internet community to achieve them.
The GIP is committed to supporting the stability and continued growth of the Internet. In September 1998 the GIP took the lead in an effort to raise upwards of $500,000 necessary to "bootstrap" the new, non-profit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. The GIP initiated an effort to raise $25,000 to $50,000 from 15 to 20 companies to provide the start-up funding needed to cover ICANN's costs for the first 4-6 months of operation. GIP member corporations as well as companies outside the GIP membership have contributed more than $400,000.
ICANN was formed as an independent entity and should remain independent of any outside influence. The contributions were made with no strings attached. The fund is seen as a much needed first step to:
More information on this initiative is available on the GIP website at www.gip.org.
The Global Internet Project
The Global Internet Project (GIP) is an international group of 13 senior executives committed to spurring the growth of the Internet worldwide. The thirteen member companies are primarily from the software and telecommunications segments of the Internet industry. The founder of the GIP is Dr. James Clark, Chairman of Netscape Communications Corporation, and its current chairman is John Patrick, Vice President, Internet Technology, IBM. The Global Internet Project is helping decision-makers around the world to better understand the nature of the Internet and to craft policies that maximize the benefits of this powerful, global medium. For more details, visit the GIP Web site at http://www.gip.org/.
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1997 GIP (Global Internet Project) All rights reserved.