U.S. to retain control of Internet domain names

[Dave_Z]

http://news.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029694,39190545,00.htm

U.S. to retain control of Internet domain names
Declan McCullagh
CNET News.com

The Bush administration announced on Thursday that the U.S. government will not hand over control of the Internet to any other organisation, a surprise move that could cause an international bun fight.

At the moment, the U.S. government maintains control of the Internet's "root" -- the master file that lists what top-level domains are authorised -- but has indicated in the past that it would transfer that responsibility to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The new principles, outlined by Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael Gallagher, say the U.S. government will "maintain its historic role in authorising changes or modifications to the authoritative root zone file." In addition, the principles say, the U.S. government will continue to maintain "oversight" over ICANN and prevent its "focus" from straying from technical coordination.

Gallagher's blunt announcement to a wireless conference in Washington, D.C. -- just a few days before ICANN's next meeting in Luxembourg -- hints that the Bush administration would like to keep the non-profit group, which is based in Marina Del Rey, California, on a short leash. ICANN has become the target of criticism as its budget has zoomed from $7 million in 2003 to around $16 million today.

Thursday's announcement also represents an effective snub to a United Nations process that is set to culminate in a summit in Tunisia in November. One gripe of the summit participants has been poorer nations should have more say in the way the Internet is operated.

At one level, the Bush administration's announcement is largely symbolic: While in theory the United States can influence what country codes are permitted and who will run each, it's unlikely to make any procedural changes. But the more assertive tack promises to vex nations like Pakistan and Brazil that have been outspoken critics of the United States' influence online.

About five years ago, the Commerce Department told the European Commission that "these remaining powers retained by the United States DoC regarding ICANN should be effectively divested," according to a European government report.

Also reported here:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/06/30/internet.control.ap/index.html

 

[Joey]

The US has to control everything, hope they hand it over!

 

[vimkar]

well , the us had an historical role in developing the internet but now there is a global internet ...

they should hand it over.....

 

[Mark]

I can see where it would bother folks from other countries as well .... But I also cant see a way to divide it all up Evenly either - It is best for the control to stay under one roof "Sort of Speak" or it will cause major delays in Growth in the long run IMO ~

 

[zaros64]

I don't really mind aslong as they make everything fair for every country

 

[DJ_Guvana]

I dont care who owns it, as long as they dont bother me about it.

 

[Dave_Z]

It all boils down to the oldest linear equation in human relations: politics. :hehe:

 

[Element]

I think they should hand it over since they technically developed the internet.

 

[vimkar]

It all boils down to the oldest linear equation in human relations: politics. :hehe:

yes , exactly ...

 

[AdoptableDomains]

I think it should be just as it is. ICANN which has international influence running it, but still with oversight by the US government as a safeguard just to make sure nothing drastic happens.

 

[vip-ip]

I don't care if they hand it over as long as it works :D As long as I can get up in the morning, get my coffee boiling and log online after a nice shower - I'm happy.