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The '''Bylaws for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names And Numbers''' is the foundational governance document for [[ICANN]].<ref name="current">[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en ICANN.org - Bylaws](English)</ref> The bylaws define the mission of ICANN, establish rules for the structure and operation of the [[Supporting Organizations|SOs]] and [[Advisory Committee|ACs]], and establish mechanisms for community engagement with the ICANN organization. The bylaws have undergone numerous revisions over the course of ICANN's history in response to reform efforts, [[Policy Development Process|policy development processes]], and recommendations from [[ICANN Reviews|organizational and specific reviews]].

The '''Bylaws for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names And Numbers''' is the foundational governance document for [[ICANN]].<ref name="current">[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en ICANN.org - Bylaws](English)</ref> The bylaws define the mission of ICANN, establish rules for the structure and operation of the [[Supporting Organizations|SOs]] and [[Advisory Committee|ACs]], and establish mechanisms for community engagement with the ICANN organization. The bylaws have undergone numerous revisions over the course of ICANN's history in response to reform efforts, [[Policy Development Process|policy development processes]], and recommendations from [[ICANN Reviews|organizational and specific reviews]].

==Evolution Over Time==

==Evolution Over Time==

Initially, ICANN's bylaws were similar to many young nonprofit organizations, with some specialized articles. Provisions that specified procedural and operational components of the organization, that might otherwise be defined by a statutory default, were included.<ref name="ogbylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-1998-11-06-en ICANN.org Archive - Original Bylaws], November 6, 1998</ref> The original bylaws anticipated the formation and operation of three supporting organizations: the [[Address Supporting Organization]], the [[Domain Name Supporting Organization]], and the [[Protocol Supporting Organization]]. In addition, the bylaws made it possible for the board to form and empower committees, and set the stage for three advisory committees to be formed: the [[Government Advisory Committee]], the [[Root Server System Advisory Committee]], and an advisory committee on membership, until such time as the question of At-large representation was answered satisfactorily.<ref name="ogbylaws" /> As events arose and the ICANN community became more engaged with policy development and review functions, the bylaws grew and changed to more specifically describe and define ICANN's role, obligations, and process.

Initially, ICANN's bylaws were similar to many young nonprofit organizations, with some specialized articles. Provisions that specified procedural and operational components of the organization, that might otherwise be defined by a statutory default, were included.<ref name="ogbylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-1998-11-06-en ICANN.org Archive - Original Bylaws], November 6, 1998</ref> The original bylaws anticipated the formation and operation of three supporting organizations: the [[Address Supporting Organization]], the [[Domain Name Supporting Organization]], and the [[Protocol Supporting Organization]]. In addition, the bylaws made it possible for the board to form and empower committees, and set the stage for three advisory committees to be formed: the [[Governmental Advisory Committee]], the [[Root Server System Advisory Committee]], and an advisory committee on membership, until such time as the question of At-large representation was answered satisfactorily.<ref name="ogbylaws" /> As events arose and the ICANN community became more engaged with policy development and review functions, the bylaws grew and changed to more specifically describe and define ICANN's role, obligations, and process.

==Mission and Core Values==

===Mission and Core Values===

Prior to 2002, the bylaws did not contain any mention of the organization's mission, or its core values. During the [[2002 Evolution and Reform Process]], the Evolution and Reform Committee (ERC) recommended the inclusion of these sections to enshrine the guiding principles and goals of ICANN in its governance documents. At the time of the December 2002 omnibus amendments to the bylaws, the mission and core values sections were added as the new Article 1.<ref name="mission02">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-2002-12-15-en#I ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Article 1], as amended December 15, 2002</ref> The organization's mission statement was defined within the narrow scope of coordination and protection of "Internet's unique identifier systems." The article specified:  

Prior to 2002, the bylaws did not contain any mention of the organization's mission, or its core values.<ref name="ogbylaws" /> During the [[2002 Evolution and Reform Process]], the Evolution and Reform Committee (ERC) recommended the inclusion of these sections to enshrine the guiding principles and goals of ICANN in its governance documents. At the time of the December 2002 omnibus amendments to the bylaws, the mission and core values sections were added as the new Article 1.<ref name="mission02">[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-2002-12-15-en#I ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Article 1], as amended December 15, 2002</ref> The organization's mission statement was defined within the narrow scope of coordination and protection of "Internet's unique identifier systems." The article specified:  

<blockquote>In particular, ICANN:

<blockquote>In particular, ICANN:

1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet, which are: a. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS"); b. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and c. Protocol port and parameter numbers.<br />

1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet, which are: a. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS"); b. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and c. Protocol port and parameter numbers.<br />

3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical functions.<ref name="mission02" /></blockquote>

3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical functions.<ref name="mission02" /></blockquote>

This mission statement remained the same until the [[IANA Functions Transistion]], which among other things incorporated the [[Affirmation of Commitments]] into the bylaws, and anticipated the creation of a subsidiary entity under ICANN to manage IANA functions oversight. In October of 2016, Article 1 was amended to describe the broadened scope of ICANN's Mission:

This mission statement remained the same until the [[IANA Functions Stewardship Transition]], which among other things incorporated the [[Affirmation of Commitments]] into the bylaws, and anticipated the creation of a subsidiary entity under ICANN to manage IANA functions oversight. In October of 2016, Article 1 was amended to describe the broadened scope of ICANN's Mission:

<blockquote>Specifically, ICANN:

<blockquote>Specifically, ICANN:

     (iv) Collaborates with other bodies as appropriate to provide registries needed for the functioning of the Internet as specified by Internet protocol standards development organizations. In service of its Mission, ICANN's scope is to provide registration services and open access for registries in the public domain requested by Internet protocol development organizations.<ref name="ianabylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/bylaws-2016-09-30-en ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Bylaws], as amended October 1, 2016</ref></blockquote>

     (iv) Collaborates with other bodies as appropriate to provide registries needed for the functioning of the Internet as specified by Internet protocol standards development organizations. In service of its Mission, ICANN's scope is to provide registration services and open access for registries in the public domain requested by Internet protocol development organizations.<ref name="ianabylaws">[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/bylaws-2016-09-30-en ICANN.org Bylaws Archive - Bylaws], as amended October 1, 2016</ref></blockquote>

==References==

==References==