More biased coverage from News.com:
House to address domain system's future
By Dan Goodin
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
July 14, 1999, 5:15 p.m. PT
Details are beginning to emerge about an upcoming House subcommittee
hearing that could have strong consequences for the future registration of
domain names.
The hearing, to be held July 22 before the House Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations, is tentatively titled "The domain name system: Is ICANN
out of control?" ICANN refers to the Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers, which the Clinton administration appointed last year to
take over administration of the Net and end Network Solutions' (NSI)
monopoly on the registration of domain names ending in ".com," ".net," and
".org."
ICANN's critics complain that the organization has overstepped its mandate
and holds secret meetings. In addition to NSI, Rep. Thomas Bliley
(R-Virginia) also has taken on non-profit, criticizing it for charging $1
for every domain name registered. Bliley, who chairs the House Commerce
Committee, is spearheading the upcoming hearing.
Tentatively, two panels will address the committee, according to sources.
The first will be made up of representatives from NSI, ICANN, and the
Commerce Department, which ultimately is responsible for administration of
the Internet so far as the United States is concerned. A second panel will
include ICANN critics. To date, NSI critics and registrars appointed to
compete against NSI are not scheduled to be called as witnesses, the
sources said.
Representatives from the subcommittee were not immediately available for
comment.
The omission may come as a disappointment to a band of about 20 smaller
registrars recently named by ICANN to participate in a shared registration
system. As reported yesterday, the group has formed a group to lobby
Congress on their complaints about NSI.
NSI and ICANN have been at loggerheads over the past few months as to
whether the Herndon, Virginia, registrar must submit to the nonprofit's
control of Internet governance issues. A weakening of ICANN would be a
boost for NSI and the requirements it imposes on new competitors.
Related news stories
� Domain registrar cleans up names July 14, 1999
� NSI rivals open Washington lobbying effort July 13, 1999
� ICANN defensive in letter to Commerce July 9, 1999
� ICANN running out of money July 7, 1999
� ICANN to control domain name server June 30, 1999
� EU probes NSI for antitrust violations June 29, 1999
� NSI won't sign on with ICANN June 25, 1999
� House committee blasts ICANN's moves June 22, 1999
Respectfully,
Jay Fenello
President, Iperdome, Inc.� 404-943-0524
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