United States Department of Commerce: Difference between revisions

The DOC and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) signed an agreement known as the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) on September 29, 2006, with a view of developing methods, mechanisms and procedures mandatory to effect the transition of Internet Domain name and addressing system (DNS) to the private sector. The Department of Commerce supports the work of ICANN and co-ordinates with it on the various technical functions associated to the management of Internet DNS. Preserving the security and stability of the Internet DNS is considered as a major priority by both the DOC as well as ICANN.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/agreements/jpa/ICANNJPA_09292006.htm ntia.doc.gov]Joint project Agreement</ref>

The DOC and ICANN also have a contract between them wherein they carry out the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions together. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have been assigned with the responsibility of overlooking both these agreements on behalf of the DOC<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/comments/2008/ICANN_080730.html ntia.doc.gov]</ref>. According to Carlos Afonso, a former member of ICANN’s support organization, Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), which represents the non-commercial users <ref>[http://vecam.org/spip.php?page=auteur&id_auteur=222&lang=en&nemo=edm vecam.org]</ref>, formal relation between ICANN and the DOC is such that ICANN works as an incumbent or concessionaire and is subject to regulation by the US Federal Government <ref>[http://vecam.org/article533.html vecam.org]</ref>.