In November, 200 the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) selected 7 new domain extensions (TLDs) and companys to operate them. The US House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold hearings on the selection process which has been criticized for its bias toward big business and trademark owners.
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The hearing, entitled "Is ICANN's New Generation of Internet Domain Name Selection Process Thwarting Competition?" will focus on ICANN's recently announced selections of registry operators for new top level domains. In the groups' letter to Secretary Norman Mineta of the United States Department of Commerce concern was expressed over the lack of process and public oversight in the publication of Top Level Domains (TLDs) on the Internet. "Top-level domain names make content visible on the Net and are the road signs for navigating cyberspace, By severely limiting the domain space, ICANN and the Commerce Department have failed to recognize the needs and free speech rights of individual Internet users and non-commercial organizations".
In an earlier letter to the Dept. of Commerce, Congressional Reps. Ed Markey and Lois Capps expressed concern over a lack of time for adequate public comments on ICANN'S selection and that the newly elected at large members did not have a say in the new TLD process.
Send letters and comments before the hearings (by Tuesday February 6) by sending email to Jessica Wallace at Congressman Billy Tauzin's office: |