Changes

[http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1591.txt RFC 1591]</ref> wherein the seven original TLDs ( .com, .edu. .mil, .gov, .org, .net and .int) are called [[gTLD|generic top level domain names]] (gTLDs) and the alpha-2 country codes. The .mil was restricted for the use of United States military and the .org was also originally restricted to be used by U.S. government agencies. The management and coordination of the entire DNS of the internet was handled by the [[IANA|Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]]. In addition, under RFC 1591 the creation of new gTLDs seemed unlikely to happen.

[http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1591.txt RFC 1591]</ref> wherein the seven original TLDs ( .com, .edu. .mil, .gov, .org, .net and .int) are called [[gTLD|generic top level domain names]] (gTLDs) and the alpha-2 country codes. The .mil was restricted for the use of United States military and the .org was also originally restricted to be used by U.S. government agencies. The management and coordination of the entire DNS of the internet was handled by the [[IANA|Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]]. In addition, under RFC 1591 the creation of new gTLDs seemed unlikely to happen.

The use of the Internet increased rapidly and the Internet community expressed their concern of the limited choice in the registration of gTLDs. In 1998, President [[Bill Clinton]] instructed the [[ODC|Department of Commerce]] (DoC) to look into their concerns. In response to the President's directive, the DoC issued the [[Green Paper]], which tackled the different issues related to the DNS, aspects that needs improvement and enumerated the reasons behind the widespread dissatisfaction of the internet community particularly the lack of competition in domain name registration. The Green Paper suggested improvement in the technical management of the DNS as well as introduction of new TLDs.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/022098fedreg.htm Green Paper]</ref>

The use of the Internet increased rapidly and the Internet community expressed their concern of the limited choice in the registration of gTLDs. In 1998, President [[Bill Clinton]] instructed the [[DOC|Department of Commerce]] (DoC) to look into their concerns. In response to the President's directive, the DoC issued the [[Green Paper]], which tackled the different issues related to the DNS, aspects that needs improvement and enumerated the reasons behind the widespread dissatisfaction of the internet community particularly the lack of competition in domain name registration. The Green Paper suggested improvement in the technical management of the DNS as well as introduction of new TLDs.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/022098fedreg.htm Green Paper]</ref>

After receiving comments from the Internet community regarding the Green Paper, the Department of Commerce issued the [[White Paper]], which contained solutions to the issues raised by the community, particularly the creation of a new, non-profit organization responsible for the technical management of the Internet. As a result, the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]] (ICANN) was formed. The White Paper also enumerated the primary functions of ICANN, which determined the circumstances necessary to develop policies for the implementation of new TLDs under a deliberate and controlled pace to allow evaluation of its impact and a reasonable transition of the domain  space.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/6_5_98dns.htm White Paper]</ref>

After receiving comments from the Internet community regarding the Green Paper, the Department of Commerce issued the [[White Paper]], which contained solutions to the issues raised by the community, particularly the creation of a new, non-profit organization responsible for the technical management of the Internet. As a result, the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]] (ICANN) was formed. The White Paper also enumerated the primary functions of ICANN, which determined the circumstances necessary to develop policies for the implementation of new TLDs under a deliberate and controlled pace to allow evaluation of its impact and a reasonable transition of the domain  space.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/6_5_98dns.htm White Paper]</ref>