Changes

The main goal of the DOC, set at its inception in 1903, was the development of commerce to provide new opportunities to Americans as well as American businesses. This remains the main goal of the department today.<ref name="commerce"></ref>

The main goal of the DOC, set at its inception in 1903, was the development of commerce to provide new opportunities to Americans as well as American businesses. This remains the main goal of the department today.<ref name="commerce"></ref>

== Mission ==

==Mission==

The main mission of the US Department of Commerce is to ensure advanced economic growth and provide jobs and opportunities to American people. It also has some major responsibilities in areas such as entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental stewardship, trade and statistical research and analysis.<ref name="commerce"></ref>

The main mission of the US Department of Commerce is to ensure advanced economic growth and provide jobs and opportunities to American people. It also has some major responsibilities in areas such as entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental stewardship, trade and statistical research and analysis.<ref name="commerce"></ref>

== The importance of DOC ==

==The Importance of DOC==

The US Department of Commerce is assigned with the responsibility of supporting America’s economic growth and stability both at domestic as well as at international levels. This becomes more critical in times of domestic recession or global financial turmoil. The programs of the DOC are initiated with the motive of promoting trade, conducting research, developing technologies, and measuring featuring the financial success of the US economy on a regular basis.

The US Department of Commerce is assigned with the responsibility of supporting America’s economic growth and stability both at domestic as well as at international levels. This becomes more critical in times of domestic recession or global financial turmoil. The programs of the DOC are initiated with the motive of promoting trade, conducting research, developing technologies, and measuring featuring the financial success of the US economy on a regular basis.

The research conducted by the DOC estimates the seats a state will get in the US House of Representatives. The DOC guides the government as well as industry experts in keeping track of the overall health of the economy and also helps them in framing economic policies. <ref>[http://www.whorunsgov.com/institutions/commerce Commerce], WhoRunsGov.com.</ref>

The research conducted by the DOC estimates the seats a state will get in the US House of Representatives. The DOC guides the government as well as industry experts in keeping track of the overall health of the economy and also helps them in framing economic policies. <ref>[http://www.whorunsgov.com/institutions/commerce Commerce], WhoRunsGov.com.</ref>

== Relation with ICANN ==

==Relation with ICANN==

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 coordinates with it on the various technical functions associated with the management of Internet DNS. Preserving the security and stability of the Internet DNS is considered a major priority by both the DOC and ICANN.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/agreements/jpa/ICANNJPA_09292006.htm Joint Project Agreement Between the U.S. Department of Commerce and The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers], ntia.doc.gov.</ref>

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 coordinates with it on the various technical functions associated with the management of Internet DNS. Preserving the security and stability of the Internet DNS is considered a major priority by both the DOC and ICANN.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/agreements/jpa/ICANNJPA_09292006.htm Joint Project Agreement Between the U.S. Department of Commerce and The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers], ntia.doc.gov.</ref>