I recently sent a letter to congressional leaders including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid expressing the Domain Name Association’s support of the U.S. Administration’s planned transition of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to the global multi-stakeholder community under the stewardship of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The Domain Name Association is a non-profit association that represents the interests of the domain name industry. There is no industry more impacted by the work of ICANN than ours. Each of our companies rely on ICANN’s efficient management of the IANA functions and fair administration of the domain name system’s contractual regime. I believe these community-developed proposals will ensure the ability of our industry to thrive and encourage you to join us in supporting this necessary and overdue transition.

As the domain name industry’s leading business association, we have sought to ensure that,

• ICANN remains independent, free from capture from any entity or group;
• Governments may participate as stakeholders but may not assert undue authority;
• Permission-less innovation remains a prevailing force and
• ICANN becomes truly accountable to the global Internet community.

Bill Empowers Businesses And Technical Experts; Reinforces Advisory Role Of Governments

Our members have devoted countless hours to the lengthy process preparing for this transition and we can state with confidence that the IANA transition plan meets our requirements on all counts.

Some are raising concerns, particularly stating that by relinquishing the IANA contract, the U.S. will be handing the Internet over to authoritarian regimes.

That, simply, will not be case.

In fact, we believe the exact opposite will occur with this transition. The community developed proposals contain a number of specific provisions that will make government interference at ICANN far less likely and will empower stakeholders to step in should ICANN waver under the outside influence of governments.

Our member companies, those in the U.S., and those located elsewhere around the globe, have too much at stake to submit to a change that could empower governments over the policies and arrangements that guide our business. This transition plan empowers businesses and technical experts and properly reinforces the advisory nature of governments.

The Domain Name Association Applauds Congress

The Domain Name Association applauds the oversight role Congress has played throughout the transition. I believe the close attention paid by members and staff has directly led to a sharper product, helping ensure greater stability and accountability at ICANN. Given the success of that oversight, I now ask that Congress acknowledge the will of those impacted the most and allow the transition to occur in a timely manner.