As we have detailed elsewhere, in developing an IANA transition proposal the names community working group (CWG) settled into two camps, the internalists and the externalists. A brief recap: The “externalists” proposed a model which largely reflected the current arrangement between NTIA and ICANN. It proposed replacing the NTIA with...
It is asserted that ICANN was “purpose-built” to operate the IANA functions. This is only partly true. ICANN's original design, in which the IANA functions were a central aspect, was abandoned very quickly between 1999 and 2002. ICANN‘s first bylaws tried to create three Supporting Organizations, one for domains (DNSO),...
When the NTIA made its announcement to end its historic role overseeing the IANA functions, ICANN was eager to fulfill its assigned convener role. It initiated two concurrent processes, one for developing an IANA functions transition proposal (or, as ICANN prefers to frame it, its "stewardship transition") and another on enhancing ICANN accountability....
One of the more pressing problems at ICANN is the participation of governments in the policy development process. All too often, the outcome is an eleventh-hour intervention from the GAC which short-circuits the GNSO bottom up policy making process. This is not for lack of effort to correct the situation....
A debate is occurring on the ARIN PPML whether or not to remove needs analysis from small address transfers. Draft policy 2014-14, originally authored by an individual affiliated with an IP address brokerage, proposes For transfers larger than a /16 equivalent or for recipients who have completed a needs-free transfer in the prior...
ICANN has concluded its call for public input concerning its proposed IANA transition draft process and scoping document. The main takeaway from this input? ICANN's proposed draft process and scoping document have been thoroughly beaten up by the community. The call for input and feedback was facilitated by the creation...
Washington D.C. is abuzz with activity concerning NTIA's IANA transition announcement. Last week saw a hearing with the House Energy & Commerce Committee and a discussion at the Hudson Institute, this week brings another hearing with the Judiciary Committee as well as a NetCaucus briefing. So far, three bills have been proposed. The first is H.R....
As if on cue, a statement has emerged from the I* organizations concerning the IANA functions transition. [1, 2, 3, 4] Unfortunately, the statement outlines a plan to simply give ICANN the IANA functions; it considers accountability an afterthought. The statement, circulated in the last few days on IETF and...
Last Friday’s Department of Commerce announcement means that the process of globalizing the governance of the DNS root zone has officially begun. Almost immediately, ICANN began spinning the NTIA announcement to re-scope what is actually up for debate. Not surprisingly, the spin goes in a direction calculated to subtly strengthen...
Today IGP releases an innovative proposal to resolve the 15-year controversy over the United States government’s special relationship to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The proposal, which involves removing root zone management functions from ICANN and creating an independent and neutral private sector consortium to take...
Declaring Independence in Cyberspace tells the story of the struggle between governments and the global Internet community over control of the Internet registries (IANA). It offers new insights into a pressing question with profound implications: is state sovereignty the immutable foundation of global governance, or can new technological capabilities change the model?
“This is a book that needed to be written, and no one is better placed to write it than Milton Mueller. This full, rigorous account provides researchers and policymakers with a precious resource on global internet governance.”
