Someday, like a grown child leaving home, the U.S.-controlled system  that manages Internet domain names may go out into the world. At that point, the rules for your Web site address could become a matter of international policy.
But that day is not yet here. At an historic hearing this week at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., U.S. government representatives indicated that it was committed to completely transitioning the management of the Domain Name System (DNS) to The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), but not quite yet.
U.S. Keeps Control of Root
ICANN, a private, non-profit organization, operates the DNS with the U.S. government, under a contract that is scheduled to expire on September 30. ICANN has been the target of much criticism in the U.S. and abroad for conducting its business in private and for keeping the DNS within U.S. control. This week's hearing sought public comments about renewing or changing that agreement.
DNS is the system that regulates Web site domain names and IP addresses. A transition to fully private control was begun in 1998, but it's been a step-by-step process. A chief argument against completely handing over control is whether the controversial ICANN is ready for the job. There have also been calls by other countries for ICANN itself to become more international.
U.S. officials have said they are committed to a transition to ICANN control, but there are conditions. John Kneuer, acting administrator of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, has indicated that the U.S. will remain in technical control of the "root," at least for the indefinite future. The root is the master file system that lists the top-level domain names.
"Mom and Pop" Sites
Some who commented at the hearing, like names registrar and hosting service GoDaddy.com, said that the U.S. should remain involved to guarantee accountability. Others, such as The Internet Society, said that delays in handing DNS completely over to ICANN threaten the political credibility of the system and international development.
"The Internet has been global from at least the time when it became commercialized," said Brian Washburn, an analyst with technology research firm Current Analysis. He said that it "stands to reason" that the governing body should also be outside any single country's control.
"I don't see a whole lot that could change for the Mom and Pop shop that registers a domain name if the process becomes international," he said. But, he said, there might be an impact on the appeal process when a Web site name is contested. "If international entities become involved in dispute resolution, that could potentially impact a small user who has made an appeal."
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