ICANN Under More Scrutiny

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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the group that manages the Internet's domain name system, may have awakened a sleeping giant with its controversial program to allow for the launch of an unlimited number of top-level generic domain names.

While critics of this program may have failed in stopping or delaying the launch of the new domain name program, it is clear that they will be closely monitoring ICANN implements the program and how it carries out its business generally. ICANN began accepting applications for its new domain name program in January and will reveal the list of applicants in May. "ICANN is not the same organization that it was a year ago before we started our efforts. It's very much attuned to the notion that the entire world is watching them now," Judy Harris, a partner with the Reed Smith law firm, said at the Association of National Advertisers annual public policy conference. Harris is working with the ANA to try to address the group's concerns with ICANN's new domain name program. The ANA, which launched a coalition last year to oppose the program, made clear at Wednesday's conference that it will continue to press for changes to the program to ensure its members, which include major U.S. companies ranging from Bank of America to Cisco to Procter & Gamble, are not adversely affected.


ICANN Under More Scrutiny