* Ready, Aim...Process?: The Internet Corporation for Assigned
 Names and Numbers (ICANN) two weeks ago fired the latest salvo in the
increasingly contentious debate over policies and procedures for adding
new top-level domains to the Internet's domain name system: it posted a
public reply to "alterna-root" service provider New.net's proposal for
the introduction of market-based principles into domain name governance.
The debate revolves around two central questions: Should there be a
single, authoritative root for the domain name system? And if so, who
and what should determine which top-level domains will be included in
the root? New.net's proposal asserts that the current "legacy,
consensus-based" system "inherently cannot serve the diverse and large
groups that have varying and even diametrically opposed stakes in how
today's Internet is operated." ICANN argues otherwise. "The ICANN
process is far from perfect; it is often contentious, sometimes tedious,
and frequently tests the patience of all those participating," states
the corporation's posting. "ICANN is intended to and does accommodate
and attempt to resolve many different viewpoints and perspectives, many
of which are in conflict with each other. That is a feature, not a bug."


http://www.icann.org/icp/icp-3-background/response-to-new.net-09jul01.htm

 http://www.new.net/NewnetPaper.pdf

 In related news, Berkman affiliate Benjamin Edelman published a study
last month indicating that the number of unique registrations and active
registrations in two alternative top-level domain name spaces--.biz and
.web--may be lower than previously supposed. The study is sparking
fierce debate among ICANN-watchers, with much of the discussion focusing
on the question of whether "size matters" when determining how much
weight or credence to give to the interests and viewpoints of a
particular constituency. (See
http://www.icannwatch.org/article.php?sid=212)
 Below, Berkman fellow Rebecca Nesson takes the question a step further.

 Her editorial,".Biz, .Web and ICANN's 'Open' Process," suggests that
Edelman's study may shed light not only on the alternative root debate
but also on the ICANN process as a whole.

 http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/filter/072301/icann_process.html

 * If You Can't Beat It, Bypass It: Meanwhile, Reps. John Shimkus
 (R-Ill.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) have introduced legislation before
Congress that, if passed, would circumvent the ICANN process entirely.
Under the terms of the bill, ICANN would be required by the US
Department of Commerce to add .kids to the domain name system; in
addition, .kids operators would be required to follow rules designed to
ensure that only "kid-friendly" content is allowed in the domain.
 While Markey aide Colin Crowell praised the bill as a means of
promoting the "general public interest," it has met with a cool
reception by key Internet standards and governance bodies, including the
venerable Internet Society (ISOC). "ISOC strongly urges the US Congress
to reject any attempts to micromanage the domain name system," states a
recent ISOC press release. "The developing procedures of ICANN to create
new top level domains are the best avenue for promoting the fuller
development of the Internet domain name system."
 http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/167478.html
 http://www.isoc.org/isoc/media/releases/010711pr.shtml

Technology hui decides .aa is for Aotearoa
Creating a new ".aa" Internet country code for "Aotearoa" which would
sit alongside New Zealand's existing ".nz" Internet address system is
one of the proposals to come out of a hui of Maori information
technologists.
 http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,864289a1896,FF.html

Philippines - DotPH Rejects Re-Delegation Proposal
DotPH Inc., the Philippines' registry and sole registrar of the .ph
country code top-level domain (ccTLD), has refused a proposal from
various private groups asking it to re-delegate its control over the
registry to an entity that is yet to be formed.
 http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168145.html

VeriSign Accuses Competitors Of 'Slamming,' Turns To ICANN
Internet addressing giant VeriSign Inc. is accusing some of its largest
competitors of improperly poaching customers who own Web addresses
through VeriSign, Newsbytes has learned.
 http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168146.html

German Net Official Throws Weight Behind ICANN
A top official of DENIC, the organization that administers Germany's top
level domain ".de," says she strongly supports the current centralized
global system under which the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and Numbers (ICANN) administers the Internet.
 http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168176.html