Internet Naming Plan Signed: Additional Endorsements
Scheduled for Geneva Meeting at the End of April


WASHINGTON, DC, April 8, 1997 -- Internet governance has taken a major step forward, with the authorizing signatures applied to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which enhances administration and management of the Internet's domain name system.

The document is part of a plan developed by the International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC), a group of Internet experts formed to consider issues brought on by the rapid growth of the Internet, that calls for the creation of additional top level names and the formation of a structure to allow competing companies to register Internet names.

Initial signers of the documents establishing the new system are the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the Internet Society (ISOC), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Trademark Association (INTA). They will be joined by representatives from industry, government, and other organizations who have indicated their intent to sign and participate.

Three major corporations, Digital Equipment Corporation, MCI, and UUNET are among the early endorsers of the plan.

According to Heidi Heiden, a senior executive with UUNET, "We are endorsing the IAHC plan because it successfully addresses key issues and concerns and was created by responsible parties with strong credentials. It is of utmost importance to us to see the Internet evolve as a stable and secure network that continues to expand without being fragmented."

Vint Cerf, Senior VP of MCI said, "As valuable as the work done by the IAHC in resolving name space issues is, of more importance to the MCI endorsement is the maturity and stability the Memorandum of Understanding brings to the administration and future self-governance of the Internet."

In indicating its support, Digital Equipment Corporation's Vice President and Chief Scientist, Sam Fuller said, "As the Internet becomes important to mainstream commerce, it needs an open, responsible, and scaleable process for distributing domain names. DIGITAL intends to work with the IAHC to help advance this policy framework to achieve such a naming service."

Representatives from organizations covering a broad range of Internet interests and activities will gather in Geneva, April 29 - May 1, to add their signatures to the Memorandum of Understanding. Using principles of self-governance, the MoU sets up a structure and establishes policies and procedures, for responsible administration of the "generic" portion of Internet domain name space, according to Donald M. Heath, chair of the IAHC.

Dr. Pekka Tarjanne, Secretary-General of the ITU, said, "The Internet demonstrates what can be done through innovation and self-regulation. I welcome the IAHC's plans to phase in competition within generic Top Level Domains while maintaining a necessary stability in the Internet domain name space. This provides an appropriate environment for the global business community enabling electronic commerce to flourish. The ITU is extremely pleased to play a facilitating role in these self-governance activities of the Internet industry by acting as the depository of the MoU."

The plan calls for acceptance of applications from entities desiring to become Registrars to begin seven days after formal signing of the MoU, for a period of 60 days. The firm of Arthur Andersen will oversee the process of applications and selection. Up to 28 Registrars will be selected in the 30 days following close of application acceptance. Additional registrars may be added, as the new structure develops and matures. Coordination of registrar activities will occur through the Council of Registrars (CORE).

In response to public comment, the IAHC has reduced the two-tier financial resources requirements for applicants, holding all applicants to the lower of the two tiers. This reduces the barrier to entry within competitive regions but still ensures sufficient fiscal capabilities for organizations planning to supply this essential service.

The IAHC plan balances requirements for competition among registrars, versus public oversight of registration activities. Registrars will compete directly, covering the same range of domain names. To mediate their activities, the CORE will run a neutral, shared database repository. All daily activities will be handled by the registrars themselves and by CORE. Public interest concerns will be covered by the Policy Oversight Committee, a small management team, assisted by a much larger Policy Advisory Body, comprising signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding. This structure will ensure that daily operations can be conducted efficiently, but policy concerns will receive adequate and diverse review and input.

Vint Cerf, who was the co-creator of the Internet's core TCP/IP protocols, further stated, "The Internet is growing up rapidly and it is vital that the processes, procedures, and policies that define its administration be sound, stable and sustainable in an international setting. With this foundation, the Internet can become a solid communications platform in all sectors of commerce."

Heath, who is also President and CEO of the Internet Society (ISOC), said, "We believe we have created a model for Internet self-governance that may be used for other issues that confront Internet evolution, such as privacy, content, and censorship. Responsible self-governance is a key factor in assuring that the Internet will reach its fullest potential."

Seven new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) will be created under the IAHC plan in addition to the selection of new Registrars. There are currently three gTLDs: .com, .net, and .org, and one registrar for those names, Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI). NSI is operating under a cooperative agreement between NSI and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The IAHC plan proposes the addition of: .firm, .store, .web, .arts, .rec, .info, and .nom and each of the new Registrars will share the central repository database under any new gTLDs. Once the cooperative agreement between NSI and NSF concludes, the three existing gTLDs will be added to the shared pool.

Heath pointed out that, "With the establishment of shared registries, we have avoided monopolistic possibilities and have created a truly competitive environment." He continued, "If someone registering a name through one of the new Registrars is displeased with the service, they have the option of using other registrars."

In addition to names and Registrars, the IAHC plan addresses issues of intellectual property and creates several innovative administrative processes to resolve conflicts which may arise when a second-level domain name is registered under a gTLD. In the future, it will be very difficult to hoard or warehouse names for resale.

Taking advantage of the Internet itself, and in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the plan establishes on-line procedures for arbitration and mediation as well as a proactive method to challenge the registration of strong trademarks by someone other than the owner.

It is anticipated that registrations under the IAHC plan would begin in third quarter 1997. There is no provision for name reservation or "pre-registration" prior to the time when the new registries are functional according to Heath. "We are aware of several solicitations to register second-level names under the new TLDs and want to make it clear that those activities are not sanctioned by the IAHC, or any of its sponsoring organizations," he added.

The International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC) was established in October of last year to satisfy the requirement for enhancements to the Internet's global Domain Name System (DNS). Organizations naming members to the committee included: Internet Society (ISOC), Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Federal Networking Council (FNC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Trademark Association (INTA), and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The full text of the IAHC report, the associated MoU, and legal documents are published at the IAHC Internet site: http://www.iahc.org.


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