US to review Internet control in 2008

The US Commerce Department said on Friday it would retain its oversight of the company that manages Internet domain names, renewing an agreement that was scheduled to expire this weekend. The government signed a new three-year agreement with the ICANN, which controls addresses such as ".com" and country domain names. The new agreement aims to eventually turn over control of ICANN to the private sector, and calls for a review in 2008 of ICANN's progress toward becoming more accountable, the government said.

"We are committed to working with ICANN to ensure that they have the established transparency and accountability mechanisms necessary to be a stable, lasting and independent institution."

The current agreement between the U.S. government and ICANN was scheduled to expire on September 30. The Commerce Department said it consulted with more than 700 companies, trade groups, foreign governments and individuals before deciding to renew the agreement. Some critics say the U.S. government has too much control over ICANN, which has evolved into a crucial engine for global commerce, communications and culture. The US government has pledged to cede control of the net to private sector hands at an unspecified future time. - US takes big step to end Internet oversight - ICANN independence closer - NDTV.com - Political Gateway - New York Times - Los Angeles Times

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