Volume IX

Issue : 13: March 10, 2011

• Amazon.com Threatens to Cut Ties with its California Affiliates
• Apple Defends Microsoft's 'App Store' Trademark Challenge
• States Make Play for Web Gambling
• BC Court of Appeal Sides with Keyword Advertiser
• No Government Veto for New Top Level Domains
• Social Media Networks Assist Defendant in Personal Injury Case
• Huawei Wins Injunction against Motorola
• Libya's Internet hit with Severe Disruptions

Home > Volume IX > Issue 13: March 10, 2011 > No Government Veto for New Top Level Domains

No Government Veto for New Top Level Domains

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit corporation responsible for preserving the operational integrity of the Internet, promoting competition and representing the interests of all Internet stakeholders.  ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) recently considered a bid led by the United States to grant it and other nations outright veto power over “sensitive” top level domains, such as the “.gay” and “.xxx”. The U.S. also raised concerns about the use of trade-marks and geographic locations as top level domains.

While the GAC rejected the proposed veto power, it has called for the right to impose additional scrutiny on controversial domains, and in certain instances, apply conditions to the use and registration of new top level domains.  The issues raised by the U.S. and the GAC highlight the increasingly  sensitive role that ICANN must play in balancing competing policies in discharging its duties to its many diverse stakeholders.

For more information, see:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20037090-281.html#ixzz1FHwNNZZi