huridocs-tech European Commission's recommendations for Internet management

Forwarded from the "politech" listserv.

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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 11:25:20 -0400
To: politech@vorlon.mit.edu
From: Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com>
Subject: FC: European Commission recommendations on ICANN, .EU domains, IPv6

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