FC: European Commission recommendations on ICANN, .EU domains, IPv6

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

*********

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/00/355|0|RAPID&lg=EN

Commission sets out its policy for Internet management


 DN: IP/00/355     Date: 2000-04-11


     TXT: FR EN DE
     PDF: FR EN DE
     Word Processed: FR EN DE

IP/00/355

Brussels, 11 April 2000

Commission sets out its policy for Internet management

The European Commission has set out several key recommendations to
improve the future running of the Internet. These focus on the way the
Internet's infrastructure - including the "dot.com" or "dot.gov" system of
domain names, and theso-called Internet Protocol (IP) addressing system -
are coordinated internationally. The Commission is also proposing a code of
conduct against cybersquatting.. The strategy paper explores ways of
resolving disputes between domain names and making room for more
internet addresses. It also recommends improving the relationship between
public and private Internet users in the EU, and ensuring that the non
profit-making body which oversees registration of domain names is run on
transparent, globally representative lines.

European leaders in Lisbon three weeks ago cited the shift to a digital
knowledge-based economy driven by the Internet as a motor for growth,
competitiveness and employment. Today's Communication to the Council and
Parliament is the latest sign of the European Commission's determination to 
give
business and citizens access to a cheap, world-class communications 
infrastructure.
Getting the right framework for the Internet is central to the Commission's 
overall
strategy for eEurope launched at the end of last year and endorsed in Lisbon.

Mr Erkki Liikanen, EU Commissioner for the Information Society, said:

"The Internet's capacity to unleash enterprise is beyond question. We must now
show that its infrastructure can be run fairly and effectively, to the 
benefit of all its
users. The Internet needs a light touch from the regulators, but a firm 
hand to ensure
that its business-generating, job-creating potential is encouraged to the 
full."

The Commission's key recommendations are:

     Elect members of the ICANN Board (Internet Corporation for Assigned
     Names and Numbers) through transparent, globally representative
     procedures;

     Bring the registration of gTLD and ccTLD (country code Top-Level
     Domains) into line with intellectual property and personal data 
protection
     principles;

     Introduce transparent and secure ICANN financing by the Registries and
     Registrars for domain names and IP addresses;

     Achieve consensus on ccTLD registration policies in line with the public
     interest and EU law;

     Shift from addresses based on numbers that are 32 bits long (IPv4) to 
address
     protocol based on 128-bit numbers (IPv6) so as to make room for far more
     Internet addresses and uses;

     Establish a new dot.EU domain name according to transparent criteria;

     Facilitate access to the Internet through appropriate EU leased line 
pricing
     policies and unbundling of the local loop.

Background

Several important developments concerning the organisation and management 
of the
Internet have taken place over the last two years at the initiative of the US
Department of Commerce in consultation with other international partners, 
including
the European Union. These reflect the Internet's expansion from US-based 
network
used mainly by universities, government and military departments to the most
significant global tool for communicating, obtaining information and doing 
electronics
business.

A globally representative, non profit-making body, ICANN, has been set up to
manage Internet numbers and domain names. Initially appointed for two 
years, the
eighteen members of the ICANN Board are now elected: half of them by private,
self-regulatory bodies such as Domain Names Supporting Organisations (DNSO),
Addresses Supporting Organisations (ASO) and Protocols Supporting Organisations
(PSO). The other half will be elected by Internet users at large, through a 
procedure
currently being set up.

The European Commission and EU Member States, as members of a government
committee advising ICANN, play a key role in bringing public interest and
government policy issues to bear that affect Internet usage.

Domain names are the tools through which individuals and businesses communicate
across the Internet. Registration as "dot.com", "dot.net" and "dot.org" 
companies has
been opened up to competition among a number of Registrars. ICANN has also
endorsed the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) guidelines for
dispute resolution in case of domain names and trademarks. Discussions between
ICANN, the GAC and National Country Code Top Level Domains (ccTLD)
registrars are under way to clarify the formal relationships between the 
Registries,
Governments and ICANN taking the public interest into account.

The Commission has launched a consultation process on the creation of the new
Internet Top Level Domain: "dot.EU". This has been highly successful, 
prompting a
large number of substantive replies. The Commission is analysing the 
replies and will
decide on the way forward shortly.

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