“When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web… Now even my cat has its own page.“ This quotation by Bill Clinton from 1996 describes exactly the evolution of the Internet. Only a few years ago, hardly no one of us had any idea what the Internet really was, what it would be good for, or how we might use it.
Today most of us could not even live without it just for one day. We permanently use the Internet for so many purposes. News, entertainment, communication, file sharing, shopping, education and many more things like these. Nowadays the Internet is also a basic element for various sectors which totally depend on it, such as telecommunication, the economy or infrastructure. But how does this highly complicated system actually work? And how is it possible that each web site can be reached any time by everyone worldwide?
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 The history of ICANN
3 Organization and structure
3.1 Organizational bodies
3.2 Accountability
3.3 Decision-making process
4 The tasks of ICANN
4.1 Domain Name System
4.2 Accrediting registrars
4.3 Root System
4.4 Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy
4.5 Universal resolvability
5 Criticism & problems
5.1 New top-level domain system
5.2 Consensus model
5.3 Grace period
5.4 Contract with the U.S. government
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the organizational structure, functional tasks, and governance model of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), while critically analyzing the challenges related to its role in global Internet administration.
- The history and foundation of ICANN as a non-profit entity.
- Core operational responsibilities including the Domain Name System and root management.
- Governance mechanisms like the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy.
- Critical perspectives on top-level domain expansion and the consensus model.
- The geopolitical complexities of ICANN's relationship with the U.S. government.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Accrediting registrars
Another objective of ICANN is accrediting the domain name registrars.
"Accredit" means to identify and set minimum standards for the performance of registration functions, to recognize persons or entities meeting those standards, and to enter into an accreditation agreement that sets forth the rules and procedures applicable to the provision of Registrar Services. So if a company wants to become a registrar, who has direct access to the top-level domains designated by ICANN, they first have to meet certain qualifications. ICANN runs various background investigations to ascertain that the entity is suitable for becoming an accredited TLD registrar. But ICANN can also revoke the accreditation. Just recently ICANN decided to de-accredit EstDomains in November 2008, after the president of this domain name registrar had been found guilty of credit card fraud, money laundering and document forgery by an Estonian court. EstDomains was among the largest registrars worldwide with over 280,000 registered domains. But it was repeatedly criticized by security experts for some time because it did not ban illegal activities. Tens of thousands of malicious sites were registered under EstDomains and used for spam, spyware or other criminal activities. EstDomains was even seen as "a haven for cyber criminals" because it was the largest registrar for online criminals. But of course not all of the registered domains were bad. Other organizations, which were approved by ICANN, will now take on these legal domains.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the critical importance of the Internet in modern society and raises questions about how its highly complex technical systems are maintained and managed globally.
2 The history of ICANN: Details the transition from U.S. government-contracted management to the formation of ICANN in 1998 as a private, non-profit organization to oversee global identifiers.
3 Organization and structure: Explains the internal configuration of ICANN, including its board, supporting organizations, advisory committees, and the mechanisms used for accountability and decision-making.
4 The tasks of ICANN: Outlines the core operational mandates such as managing the Domain Name System (DNS), accrediting registrars, maintaining the root system, and implementing dispute policies.
5 Criticism & problems: Discusses various controversies, including the expansion of top-level domains, the validity of the consensus model, and concerns regarding U.S. oversight of global infrastructure.
Key Terms
ICANN, Internet Governance, Domain Name System, TLD, Registrar, Root System, UDRP, Cybersquatting, Consensus Model, Internet Address, DNS, Policy Making, Non-profit, Universal Resolvability, U.S. Department of Commerce
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper provides an overview of ICANN, explaining its historical origins, organizational structure, and its critical role in governing global Internet resources.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
Key topics include the DNS management, the accreditation of registrars, dispute resolution, and the ongoing debate surrounding ICANN's relationship with the U.S. government.
What is the main goal of the research?
The goal is to analyze how ICANN performs its administrative duties and to highlight the challenges it faces in maintaining global trust and technical stability.
Which methodology is employed in this work?
The work utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing historical data, organizational documentation, and critical perspectives from academic and journalistic sources.
What does the main body address?
The main body systematically breaks down ICANN's structure, its specific technical tasks, and evaluates recurring criticisms regarding its governance model.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Central keywords include ICANN, Domain Name System, Internet Governance, UDRP, TLD, and the consensus model.
How does the UDRP function in practice?
The UDRP serves as a mechanism to resolve disputes between trademark holders and domain registrants, preventing bad-faith registration without requiring traditional court litigation.
Why is the role of the U.S. government in ICANN debated?
Critics argue that the continued influence of the U.S. Department of Commerce undermines the goal of a truly internationalized Internet governance model.
What is the significance of the "grace period" discussed?
The grace period is a mechanism that allows registrants to cancel registrations, but it has been abused for "domain tasting" and "domain kiting," causing operational issues for the DNS.
How are new top-level domains (TLDs) justified by ICANN?
ICANN argues that expanding TLDs provides better choices for users and organizations, though critics worry about potential brand hijacking and increased administrative burdens.
- Quote paper
- Ludwig Bäßler (Author), 2009, ICANN. The Organization and Governance of the Internet, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/175685
