The paper set forth below, concerning ways to improve technical management
of the Internet Domain Name System, is a proposed rule of the Department
of Commerce. This same document will be published in the Federal Register
in the near future. While the Department will accept comments on the paper
starting today, the Federal Register publication will establish the official
deadline for the acceptance of public comment on this proposed rule. Comments
may be mailed to U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA/OIA, 14th and Constitution
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230 or sent via electronic mail to dns@ntia.doc.gov.
Though it is not intended or expected, should any discrepancy occur between
the document set forth below and that published in the Federal Register,
the Federal Register publication controls. All comments received will be
considered exclusively in the context of issuing a final rule. The paper
is being made available through the Internet solely as a means to facilitate
the public's access to this document and to provide an additional means
of notifying the public of the solicitation of public comment on the proposed
rule.
A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT OF
INTERNET NAMES AND ADDRESSES
DISCUSSION DRAFT 1/30/98
Domain names are the familiar and easy-to-remember names for Internet
computers (e.g. "www.ecommerce.gov"). They map to unique
Internet Protocol (IP) numbers (e.g. 98.37.241.30) that serve as
routing addresses on the Internet. The domain name system (DNS) translates
Internet names into the IP numbers needed for transmission of information
across the network.
History
Today's Internet is an outgrowth of U.S. government investments in packet-switching technology and communications networks carried out under agreements with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other U.S. research agencies. The government encouraged bottom-up development of networking technologies through work at NSF, which established the NSFNET as a network for research and education. The NSFNET fostered a wide range of applications, and in 1992 the U.S. Congress gave the National Science Foundation statutory authority to commercialize the NSFNET, which formed the basis for today's Internet.
As a legacy, major components of the domain name system are still performed by or subject to agreements with agencies of the U.S. government.
1) Assignment of numerical addresses to Internet users.
Every Internet computer has a unique IP number. The Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority (IANA), headed by Dr. Jon Postel of the Information Sciences
Institute (ISI) at the University of Southern California, coordinates this
system by allocating blocks of numerical addresses to regional IP registries
(ARIN in North America, RIPE in Europe, and APNIC in the Asia/Pacific region),
under contract with DARPA. In turn, larger Internet service providers apply
to the regional IP registries for blocks of IP addresses. The recipients
of those address blocks then reassign addresses to smaller Internet service
providers and to end users.
2) Management of the system of registering names for Internet users.
The domain name space is constructed as a hierarchy. It is divided into
top-level domains (TLDs), with each TLD then divided into second-level
domains (SLDs), and so on. More than 200 national, or country-code, TLDs
(ccTLDs) are administered by their corresponding governments or by private
entities with the appropriate national government's acquiescence. A small
set of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) do not carry any national identifier,
but denote the intended function of that portion of the domain space. For
example, .com was established for commercial users, .org for not-for-profit
organizations, and .net for network service providers. The registration
and propagation of these key gTLDs are performed by Network Solutions,
Inc. (NSI), a Virginia-based company, under a five-year cooperative agreement
with NSF. This agreement includes an optional ramp-down period that expires
on September 30, 1998.
3) Operation of the root server system.
The root server system contains authoritative databases listing the
TLDs so that an Internet message can be routed to its destination. Currently,
NSI operates the "A" root server, which maintains the authoritative
root database and replicates changes to the other root servers on a daily
basis. Different organizations, including NSI, operate the other 12 root
servers. In total, the U.S. government plays a direct role in the operation
of half of the world's root servers. Universal connectivity on the Internet
cannot be guaranteed without a set of authoritative and consistent roots.
4) Protocol Assignment.
The Internet protocol suite, as defined by the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF), contains many technical parameters, including protocol
numbers, port numbers, autonomous system numbers, management information
base object identifiers and others. The common use of these protocols by
the Internet community requires that the particular values used in these
fields be assigned uniquely. Currently, IANA, under contract with DARPA,
makes these assignments and maintains a registry of the assigned values.
The Need for Change
From its origins as a U.S.-based research vehicle, the Internet is rapidly becoming an international medium for commerce, education and communication. The traditional means of organizing its technical functions need to evolve as well. The pressures for change are coming from many different quarters:
-There is widespread dissatisfaction about the absence of competition in domain name registration.
-Mechanisms for resolving conflict between trademark holders and domain name holders are expensive and cumbersome.
-Without changes, a proliferation of lawsuits could lead to chaos as tribunals around the world apply the antitrust law and intellectual property law of their jurisdictions to the Internet.
-Many commercial interests, staking their future on the successful growth of the Internet, are calling for a more formal and robust management structure.
-An increasing percentage of Internet users reside outside of the U.S., and those stakeholders want a larger voice in Internet coordination.
-As Internet names increasingly have commercial value, the decision to add new top-level domains cannot continue to be made on an ad hoc basis by entities or individuals that are not formally accountable to the Internet community.
-As the Internet becomes commercial, it becomes inappropriate for U.S. research agencies (NSF and DARPA) to participate in and fund these functions.
The Future Role of the U.S. Government in the DNS
On July 1, 1997, as part of the Clinton Administration's Framework
for Global Electronic Commerce, the President directed the Secretary
of Commerce to privatize, increase competition in, and promote international
participation in the domain name system.
Accordingly, on July 2, 1997, the Department of Commerce issued a Request
for Comments (RFC) on DNS administration, on behalf of an inter-agency
working group previously formed to explore the appropriate future role
of the U.S. government in the DNS. The RFC solicited public input on issues
relating to the overall framework of the DNS system, the creation of new
top-level domains, policies for registrars, and trademark issues. During
the comment period, over 430 comments were received, amounting to some
1500 pages.(1)
This discussion draft, shaped by the public input described above, provides
notice and seeks public comment on a proposal to improve the technical
management of Internet names and addresses. It does not propose a monolithic
structure for Internet governance. We doubt that the Internet should be
governed by one plan or one body or even by a series of plans and bodies.
Rather, we seek to create mechanisms to solve a few, primarily technical
(albeit critical) questions about administration of Internet names and
numbers.
PRINCIPLES FOR A NEW SYSTEM
Our consultations have revealed substantial differences among Internet
stakeholders on how the domain name system should evolve. Since the Internet
is changing so rapidly, no one entity or individual can claim to know what
is best for the Internet. We certainly do not believe that our views are
uniquely prescient. Nevertheless, shared principles have emerged from our
discussions with Internet stakeholders.
2. Competition.
The Internet succeeds in great measure because it is a decentralized system
that encourages innovation and maximizes individual freedom. Where possible,
market mechanisms that support competition and consumer choice should drive
the technical management of the Internet because they will promote innovation,
preserve diversity, and enhance user choice and satisfaction.
3. Private, Bottom-Up Coordination.
Certain technical management functions require coordination. In these cases, responsible, private-sector action is preferable to government control. A private coordinating process is likely to be more flexible than government and to move rapidly enough to meet the changing needs of the Internet and of Internet users. The private process should, as far as possible, reflect the bottom-up governance that has characterized development of the Internet to date.
4. Representation.
Technical management of the Internet should reflect the diversity of its users and their needs. Mechanisms should be established to ensure international input in decision making.
In keeping with these principles, we divide the name and number functions
into two groups, those that can be moved to a competitive system and those
that should be coordinated. We then suggest the creation of a representative,
not-for-profit corporation to manage the coordinated functions according
to widely accepted objective criteria. We then suggest the steps necessary
to move to competitive markets in those areas that can be market driven.
Finally, we suggest a transition plan to ensure that these changes occur
in an orderly fashion that preserves the stability of the Internet.
THE PROPOSAL
The Coordinated Functions
Management of number addresses is best done on a coordinated basis.
As technology evolves, changes may be needed in the number allocation system.
These changes should also be undertaken in a coordinated fashion.
Similarly, coordination of the root server network is necessary if the whole system is to work smoothly. While day-to-day operational tasks, such as the actual operation and maintenance of the Internet root servers, can be contracted out, overall policy guidance and control of the TLDs and the Internet root server system should be vested in a single organization that is representative of Internet users.
Finally, coordinated maintenance and dissemination of the protocol parameters for Internet addressing will best preserve the stability and interconnectivity of the Internet.
We propose the creation of a private, not-for-profit corporation (the new
corporation) to manage the coordinated functions in a stable and open institutional
framework. The new corporation should operate as a private entity for the
benefit of the Internet as a whole. The new corporation would have the
following authority:
The U.S. government would gradually transfer existing IANA functions, the root system and the appropriate databases to this new not-for-profit corporation. This transition would commence as soon as possible, with operational responsibility moved to the new entity by September 30, 1998. The U.S. government would participate in policy oversight to assure stability until the new corporation is established and stable, phasing out as soon as possible and in no event later than September 30, 2000. The U.S. Department of Commerce will coordinate the U.S. government policy role. In proposing these dates, we are trying to balance concerns about a premature U.S. government exit that turns the domain name system over to a new and untested entity against the concern that the U.S. government will never relinquish its current management role.
The new corporation will be funded by domain name registries and regional IP registries. Initially, current IANA staff will move to this new organization to provide continuity and expertise throughout the period of time it takes to establish the new corporation. The new corporation should hire a chief executive officer with a background in the corporate sector to bring a more rigorous management to the organization than was possible or necessary when the Internet was primarily a research medium. As these functions are now performed in the United States, the new corporation will be headquartered in the United States, and incorporated under U.S. law as a not-for-profit corporation. It will, however, have and report to a board of directors from around the world.
It is probably impossible to establish and maintain a perfectly representative board for this new organization. The Internet community is already extraordinarily diverse and likely to become more so over time. Nonetheless, the organization and its board must derive legitimacy from the participation of key stakeholders. Since the organization will be concerned mainly with numbers, names and protocols, its board should represent membership organizations in each of these areas, as well as the direct interests of Internet users.
The board of directors for the new corporation should be balanced to
equitably represent the interests of IP number registries, domain name
registries, domain name registrars, the technical community, and Internet
users (commercial, not-for-profit, and individuals). Officials of governments
or intergovernmental organizations should not serve on the board of the
new corporation. Seats on the initial board might be allocated as follows:
The new corporation's processes should be fair, open and pro-competitive,
protecting against capture by a narrow group of stakeholders. Its decision-making
processes should be sound and transparent; the bases for its decisions
should be recorded and made publicly available. Super-majority or even
consensus requirements may be useful to protect against capture by a self-interested
faction. The new corporation's charter should provide a mechanism whereby
its governing body will evolve to reflect changes in the constituency of
Internet stakeholders. The new corporation should establish an open process
for the presentation of petitions to expand board representation.
In performing the functions listed above, the new corporation will act
much like a standard-setting body. To the extent that the new corporation
operates in an open and pro-competitive manner, its actions will withstand
antitrust scrutiny. Its standards should be reasonably based on, and no
broader than necessary to promote its legitimate coordinating objectives.
Under U.S. law, a standard-setting body can face antitrust liability if
it is dominated by an economically interested entity, or if standards are
set in secret by a few leading competitors. But appropriate processes and
structure will minimize the possibility that the body's actions will be,
or will appear to a court to be, anticompetitive.
The Competitive Functions
The system for registering second-level domain names and the management
of the TLD registries should become competitive and market-driven.
In this connection, we distinguish between registries and registrars. A
"registry," as we use the term, is responsible for maintaining
a TLD's zone files, which contain the name of each SLD in that TLD and
each SLD's corresponding IP number. Under the current structure of the
Internet, a given TLD can have no more than one registry. A "registrar"
acts as an interface between domain-name holders and the registry, providing
registration and value-added services. It submits to the registry zone
file information and other data (including contact information) for each
of its customers in a single TLD. Currently, NSI acts as both the exclusive
registry and as the exclusive registrar for .com, .net, .org, and .edu.
Both registry and registrar functions could be operated on a competitive
basis. Just as NSI acts as the registry for .com, .net, and .org, other
companies could manage registries with different TLDs such as .vend or
.store. Registrars could provide the service of obtaining domain names
for customers in any gTLD. Companies that design Web sites for customers
might, for example, provide registration as an adjunct to other services.
Other companies may perform this function as a stand-alone business.
There appears to be strong consensus that, at least at this time, domain
name registration - the registrar function - should be competitive. There
is disagreement, however, over the wisdom of promoting competition at the
registry level.
Some have made a strong case for establishing a market-driven registry
system. Competition among registries would allow registrants to choose
among TLDs rather than face a single option. Competing TLDs would seek
to heighten their efficiency, lower their prices, and provide additional
value-added services. Investments in registries could be recouped through
branding and marketing. The efficiency, convenience, and service levels
associated with the assignment of names could ultimately differ from one
TLD registry to another. Without these types of market pressures, they
argue, registries will have very little incentive to innovate.
Others feel strongly, however, that if multiple registries are to exist,
they should be undertaken on a not-for-profit basis. They argue that lack
of portability among registries (that is, the fact that users cannot change
registries without adjusting at least part of their domain name string)
could create lock-in problems and harm consumers. For example, a registry
could induce users to register in a top-level domain by charging very low
prices initially and then raise prices dramatically, knowing that name
holders will be reluctant to risk established business by moving to a different
top-level domain.
We concede that switching costs and lock-in could produce the scenario
described above. On the other hand, we believe that market mechanisms may
well discourage this type of behavior. On balance, we believe that consumers
will benefit from competition among market oriented registries, and we
thus support limited experimentation with competing registries during the
transition to private sector administration of the domain name system.
The Creation of New gTLDs
Internet stakeholders disagree about who should decide when a new top-level
domain can be added and how that decision should be made. Some believe
that anyone should be allowed to create a top-level domain registry. They
argue that the market will decide which will succeed and which will not.
Others believe that such a system would be too chaotic and would dramatically
increase customer confusion. They argue that it would be far more complex
technically, because the root server system would have to point to a large
number of top-level domains that were changing with great frequency. They
also point out that it would be much more difficult for trademark holders
to protect their trademarks if they had to police a large number of top-level
domains.
All these arguments have merit, but they all depend on facts that only
further experience will reveal. At least in the short run, a prudent concern
for the stability of the system requires that expansion of gTLDs proceed
at a deliberate and controlled pace to allow for evaluation of the impact
of the new gTLDs and well-reasoned evolution of the domain space. The number
of new top-level domains should be large enough to create competition among
registries and to enable the new corporation to evaluate the functioning,
in the new environment, of the root server system and the software systems
that enable shared registration. At the same time, it should not be so
large as to destabilize the Internet.
We believe that during the transition to private management of the DNS,
the addition of up to five new registries would be consistent with these
goals. At the outset, we propose that each new registry be limited to a
single top-level domain. During this period, the new corporation should
evaluate the effects that the addition of new gTLDs have on the operation
of the Internet, on users, and on trademark holders. After this transition,
the new corporation will be in a better position to decide whether or when
the introduction of additional gTLDs is desirable.
Individual companies and consortia alike may seek to operate specific generic
top-level domains. Competition will take place on two levels. First, there
will be competition among different generic top-level domains. Second,
registrars will compete to register clients into these generic top-level
domains. By contrast, existing national registries will continue to administer
country-code top-level domains if these national government seek to assert
those rights. Changes in the registration process for these domains are
up to the registries administering them and their respective national governments.
Some have called for the creation of a more descriptive system of top-level
domains based on industrial classifications or some other easy to understand
schema. They suggest that having multiple top-level domains is already
confusing and that the addition of new generic TLDs will make it more difficult
for users to find the companies they are seeking.
Market driven systems result in innovation and greater consumer choice
and satisfaction in the long run. We expect that in the future, directory
services of various sorts will make it easy for users to find the sites
they seek regardless of the number of top-level domains. Attempts to impose
too much central order risk stifling a medium like the Internet that is
decentralized by nature and thrives on freedom and innovation.
The Trademark Dilemma
It is important to keep in mind that trademark/domain name disputes
arise very rarely on the Internet today. NSI, for example, has registered
millions of domain names, only a tiny fraction of which have been challenged
by a trademark owner. But where a trademark is unlawfully used as a domain
name, consumers may be misled about the source of the product or service
offered on the Internet, and trademark owners may not be able to protect
their rights without very expensive litigation.
For cyberspace to function as an effective commercial market, businesses
must have confidence that their trademarks can be protected. On the other
hand, management of the Internet must respond to the needs of the Internet
community as a whole, and not trademark owners exclusively. The balance
we strike is to provide trademark holders with the same rights they have
in the physical world, to ensure transparency, to guarantee a dispute resolution
mechanism with resort to a court system, and to add new top-level domains
carefully during the transition to private sector coordination of the domain
name system.
There are certain steps that could be taken in the application process
that would not be difficult for an applicant, but that would make the trademark
owner's job easier. For instance, gTLD registrants could supply basic information
-- including the applicant's name and sufficient contact information to
be able to locate the applicant or its representative. To deter the pirating
of domain names, the registry could also require applicants to certify
that it knows of no entity with superior rights in the domain name it seeks
to register.
The job of policing trademarks could be considerably easier if domain name
databases were readily searchable through a common interface to determine
what names are registered, who holds those domain names, and how to contact
a domain name holder. Many trademark holders find the current registration
search tool, Whois, too limited in its functioning to be effective for
this purpose. A more robust and flexible search tool, which features multiple
field or string searching and retrieves similar names, could be employed
or developed to meet the needs of trademark holders. The databases also
could be kept up to date by a requirement that domain name registrants
maintain up-to-date contact information.
Mechanisms that allow for on-line dispute resolution could provide an inexpensive and efficient alternative to litigation for resolving disputes between trademark owners and domain name registrants. A swift dispute resolution process could provide for the temporary suspension of a domain name registration if an adversely affected trademark holder objects within a short time, e.g. 30 days, of the initial registration. We seek comment on whether registries should be required to resolve disputes within a specified period of time after an opposition is filed, and if so, how long that period should be.
Trademark holders have expressed concern that domain name registrants
in faraway places may be able to infringe their rights with no convenient
jurisdiction available in which the trademark owner could file suit to
protect those rights. At the time of registration, registrants could agree
that, in the event of a trademark dispute involving the name registered,
jurisdiction would lie where the registry is domiciled, where the registry
database in maintained, or where the "A" root server is maintained.
We seek comment on this proposal, as well as suggestions for how such jurisdictional
provisions could be implemented.
Trademark holders have also called for the creation of some mechanism for
"clearing" trademarks, especially famous marks, across a range
of gTLDs. Such mechanisms could reduce trademark conflict associated with
the addition of new gTLDs. Again, we seek comment on this proposal, and
suggested mechanisms for trademark clearance processes.
We stop short of proposals that could significantly limit the flexibility
of the Internet, such as waiting periods or not allowing any new top-level
domains.
We also do not propose to establish a monolithic trademark dispute resolution
process at this time, because it is unclear what system would work best.
Even trademark holders we have consulted are divided on this question.
Therefore, we propose that each name registry must establish minimum dispute
resolution and other procedures related to trademark considerations. Those
minimum procedures are spelled out in Appendix 2. Beyond those minimums,
registries would be permitted to establish additional trademark protection
and trademark dispute resolution mechanisms.
We also propose that shortly after their introduction into the root, a
study be undertaken on the effects of adding new gTLDs and related dispute
resolution procedures on trademark and intellectual property right holders.
This study should be conducted under the auspices of a body that is internationally
recognized in the area of dispute resolution procedures, with input from
trademark and domain name holders and registries. The findings of this
study should be submitted to the board of the new corporation and considered
when it makes decisions on the creation and introduction of new gTLDs.
Information on the strengths and weaknesses of different dispute resolution
procedures should also give the new corporation guidance for deciding whether
the established minimum criteria for dispute resolution should be amended
or maintained. Such a study could also provide valuable input with respect
to trademark harmonization generally.
U.S. trademark law imposes no general duty on a registrar to investigate
the propriety of any given registration.(2)
Under existing law, a trademark holder can properly file a lawsuit against
a domain name holder that is infringing or diluting the trademark holder's
mark. But the law provides no basis for holding that a registrar's mere
registration of a domain name, at the behest of an applicant with which
it has an arm's-length relationship, should expose it to liability.(3)
Infringers, rather than registrars, registries, and technical management
bodies, should be liable for trademark infringement. Until case law is
fully settled, however, registries can expect to incur legal expenses in
connection with trademark disputes as a cost of doing business. These costs
should not be borne by the new not-for-profit corporation, and therefore
registries should be required to indemnify the new corporation for costs
incurred in connection with trademark disputes. The evolution of litigation
will be one of the factors to be studied by the group tasked to review
Internet trademark issues as the new structure evolves.
The Intellectual Infrastructure Fund
In 1995, NSF authorized NSI to assess new domain name registrants a
$50 fee per year for the first two years, 30 percent of which was to be
deposited in a fund for the preservation and enhancement of the intellectual
infrastructure of the Internet (the "Intellectual Infrastructure Fund")
In excess of $46 Million has been collected to date. In 1997, Congress
authorized the crediting of $23 Million of the funds collected to the Research
and Related Activities Appropriation of the National Science Foundation
to support the development of the Next Generation Internet. The establishment
of the Intellectual Infrastructure Fund currently is the subject of litigation
in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
As the U.S. government is seeking to end its role in the domain name system,
we believe the provision in the cooperative agreement regarding allocation
of a portion of the registration fee to the Internet Intellectual Infrastructure
Fund should terminate on April 1, 1998, the beginning of the ramp-down
period of the cooperative agreement.
THE TRANSITION
A number of steps must be taken to create the system envisioned in this paper.
1. The new not-for-profit organization must be established and its board chosen.
2.The membership associations representing 1) registries and registrars, and 2) Internet users, must be formed.
3. An agreement must be reached between the U.S. government and the current IANA on the transfer of IANA functions to the new organization.
4. NSI and the U.S. government must reach agreement on the terms and conditions of NSI's evolution into one competitor among many in the registrar and registry marketplaces. A level playing field for competition must be established.
5. The new corporation must establish processes for determining whether an organization meets the transition period criteria for prospective registries and registrars.
6. A process must be laid out for making the management of the root server system more robust and secure, and, for transitioning that management from U.S. government auspices to those of the new corporation.
The NSI Agreement
The U.S. government will ramp down the NSI cooperative agreement and
phase it out by the end of September 1998. The ramp down agreement with
NSI should reflect the following terms and conditions designed to promote
competition in the domain name space.
Competitive Registries, Registrars, and the Addition of New gTLDs
Over the past few years, several groups have expressed a desire to enter
the registry or registrar business. Ideally, the U.S. government would
stay its hand, deferring the creation of a specific plan to introduce competition
into the domain name system until such time as the new corporation has
been organized and given an opportunity to study the questions that such
proposals raise. Should the transition plan outlined below, or some other
proposal, fail to achieve substantial consensus, that course may well need
to be taken.
Realistically, however, the new corporation cannot be established overnight.
Before operating procedures can be established, a board of directors and
a CEO must be selected. Under a best case scenario, it is unlikely that
the new corporation can be fully operational before September 30, 1998.
It is our view, based on widespread public input, that competition should
be introduced into the DNS system more quickly.
We therefore set out below a proposal to introduce competition into the domain name system during the transition from the existing U.S. government authority to a fully functioning coordinating body. This proposal is designed only for the transition period. Once the new corporation is formed, it will assume authority over the terms and conditions for the admission of new top-level domains.
Registries and new gTLDs
This proposal calls for the creation of up to five new registries, each of which would be initially permitted to operate one new gTLD. As discussed above, that number is large enough to provide valuable information about the effects of adding new gTLDs and introducing competition at the registry level, but not so large as to threaten the stability of the Internet during this transition period. In order to designate the new registries and gTLDs, IANA must establish equitable, objective criteria and processes for selecting among a large number of individuals and entities that want to provide registry services. Unsuccessful applicants will be disappointed.
We have examined a number of options for recognizing the development
work already underway in the private sector. For example, some argue for
the provision of a "pioneer preference" or other grandfathering
mechanism to limit the pool of would-be registrants to those who, in response
to previous IANA requests, have already invested in developing registry
businesses. While this has significant appeal and we do not rule it out,
it is not an easy matter to determine who should be in that pool. IANA
would be exposed to considerable liability for such determinations, and
required to defend against charges that it acted in an arbitrary or inequitable
manner. We welcome suggestions as to whether the pool of applicants should
be limited, and if so, on what basis.
We propose, that during the transition, the first five entities (whether
from a limited or unlimited pool) to meet the technical, managerial, and
site requirements described in Appendix 1 will be allowed to establish
a domain name registry. The IANA will engage neutral accounting and technical
consultancy firms to evaluate a proposed registry under these criteria
and certify an applicant as qualified. These registries may either select,
in order of their qualification, from a list of available gTLDs or propose
another gTLD to IANA. (We welcome suggestions on the gTLDs that should
be immediately available and would propose a list based on that input,
as well as any market data currently available that indicates consumer
interest in particular gTLDs.)
The registry will be permitted to provide and charge for value-added
services, over and above the basic services provided to registrars. At
least at this time, the registry must, however, operate on a shared registry
basis, treating all registrars on a nondiscriminatory basis, with respect
to pricing, access and rules. Each TLD's registry should be equally accessible
to any qualified registrar, so that registrants may choose their registrars
competitively on the basis of price and service. The registry will also
have to agree to modify its technical capabilities based on protocol changes
that occur in Internet technology so that interoperability can be preserved.
At some point in the future, the new organization may consider the desirability
of allowing the introduction of non-shared registries.
Registrars
Any entity will be permitted to provide registrar services as long as it meets the basic technical, managerial, and site requirements as described in Appendix 1 of this paper. Registrars will be allowed to register clients into any top-level domain for which the client satisfies the eligibility rules, if any.
The Root Server System
IANA and the U.S. government, in cooperation with NSI, the IAB, and
other relevant organizations will undertake a review of the root server
system to recommend means to increase the security and professional management
of the system. The recommendations of the study should be implemented as
part of the transition process to the new corporation.
The .us Domain
At present, the IANA administers .us as a locality based hierarchy in
which second-level domain space is allocated to states and US territories.(4)
This name space is further subdivided into localities. General registration
under localities is performed on an exclusive basis by private firms that
have requested delegation from IANA. The .us name space has typically been
used by branches of state and local governments, although some commercial
names have been assigned. Where registration for a locality has not been
delegated, the IANA itself serves as the registrar.
Some in the Internet community have suggested that the pressure for
unique identifiers in the .com gTLD could be relieved if commercial use
of the .us space was encouraged. Commercial users and trademark holders,
however, find the current locality-based system too cumbersome and complicated
for commercial use. Expanded use of the .us TLD could alleviate some of
the pressure for new generic TLDs and reduce conflicts between American
companies and others vying for the same domain name.
Clearly, there is much opportunity for enhancing the .us domain space,
and the .us domain could be expanded in many ways without displacing the
current geopolitical structure. Over the next few months, the U.S. government
will work with the private sector and state and local governments to determine
how best to make the .us domain more attractive to commercial users. It
may also be appropriate to move the gTLDs traditionally reserved for U.S.
government use (i.e. .gov and .mil), into a reformulated .us ccTLD.
The U.S. government will further explore and seek public input on these
issues through a separate Request for Comment on the evolution of the .us
name space. However, we welcome any preliminary comments at this time.
The Process
The U.S. government recognizes that its unique role in the Internet
domain name system should end as soon as is practical. We also recognize
an obligation to end this involvement in a responsible manner that preserves
the stability of the Internet. We cannot cede authority to any particular
commercial interest or any specific coalition of interest groups. We also
have a responsibility to oppose any efforts to fragment the Internet, as
this would destroy one of the key factors - interoperability - that has
made the Internet so successful.
Our goal is to seek as strong a consensus as possible so that a new, open,
and accountable system can emerge that is legitimate in the eyes of all
Internet stakeholders. It is in this spirit that we present this paper
for discussion.
Appendix 1
Recommended Registry and Registrar Requirements
In order to ensure the stability of the Internet's domain name system,
protect consumers, and preserve the intellectual property rights of trademark
owners, all registries of generic top-level domain names must meet the
set of technical, managerial, and site requirements outlined below. Only
prospective registries that meet these criteria will be allowed by IANA
to register their gTLD in the "A" server. If, after it begins
operations, a registry no longer meets these requirements, IANA may transfer
management of the domain names under that registry's gTLD to another organization.
Independent testing, reviewing, and inspection called for in the
requirements for registries should be done by appropriate certifying organizations
or testing laboratories rather than IANA itself, although IANA will define
the requirements and the procedures for tests and audits.
These requirements apply only to generic TLDs. They will apply to
both existing gTLDs (e.g., .com, .edu., .net, .org) and new gTLDs. Although
they are not required to, we expect many ccTLD registries and registrars
may wish to assure their customers that they meet these requirements or
similar ones.
Registries will be separate from registrars and have only registrars
as their customers. If a registry wishes to act both as registry and registrar
for the same TLD, it must do so through separate subsidiaries. Appropriate
accounting and confidentiality safeguards shall be used to ensure that
the registry subsidiary's business is not utilized in any manner to benefit
the registrar subsidiary to the detriment of any other registrar.
Each top-level domain (TLD) database will be maintained by only one
registry and, at least initially, each new registry can host only one TLD.
Registry requirements:
1. An independently-tested, functioning DATABASE AND COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEM that:
a. Allows multiple competing registrars to have secure access (with
encryption and authentication) to the database on an equal (first-come,
first-served) basis.
b. Is both robust (24 hours per day, 365 days per year) and scalable
(i.e., capable of handling high volumes of entries and inquiries).
c. Has multiple high-throughput (i.e., at least T1) connections to
the Internet via at least two separate Internet Service Providers.
d. Includes a daily data backup and archiving system.
e. Incorporates a record management system that maintains copies
of all transactions, correspondence, and communications with registrars
for at least the length of a registration contract.
f. Features a searchable, on-line database meeting the requirements
of Appendix 2.
g. Provides free access to the software and customer interface that
a registrar would need to register new second-level domain names.
h. An adequate number (perhaps two or three) of globally-positioned zone-file servers connected to the Internet for each TLD.
2. Independently-reviewed MANAGEMENT POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PERSONNEL
including:
a. Alternate (i.e., non-litigation) dispute resolution providing
a timely and inexpensive forum for trademark-related complaints. (These
procedures should be consistent with applicable national laws and compatible
with any available judicial or administrative remedies.)
b. A plan to ensure that the registry's obligations to its customers
will be fulfilled in the event that the registry goes out of business.
This plan must indicate how the registry would ensure that domain name
holders will continue to have use of their domain name and that operation
of the Internet will not be adversely affected.
c. Procedures for assuring and maintaining the expertise and experience
of technical staff.
d. Commonly-accepted procedures for information systems security
to prevent malicious hackers and others from disrupting operations of the
registry.
3. Independently inspected PHYSICAL SITES that feature:
a. A backup power system including a multi-day power source.
b. A high level of security due to twenty-four-hour guards and appropriate
physical safeguards against intruders.
c. A remotely-located, fully redundant and staffed twin facility
with "hot switchover" capability in the event of a main facility
failure caused by either a natural disaster (e.g., earthquake or tornado)
or an accidental (fire, burst pipe) or deliberate (arson, bomb) man-made
event. (This might be provided at, or jointly supported with, another registry,
which would encourage compatibility of hardware and commonality of interfaces.)
Registrar requirements
Registries will set standards for registrars with which they wish
to do business. The following are the minimal qualifications that IANA
should mandate that each registry impose and test or inspect before allowing
a registrar to access its database(s). Any additional requirements imposed
by registries on registrars must be approved by IANA and should not affect
the stability of the Internet or substantially reduce competition in the
registrar business. Registries may refuse to accept registrations from
registrars that fail to meet these requirements and may remove domain names
from the registries if at a later time the registrar which registered them
no longer meets the requirements for registrars.
1. A functioning DATABASE AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM that supports:
a. Secure access (with encryption and authentication) to the registry.
b. Robust and scalable operations capable of handling moderate volumes.
c. Multiple connections to the Internet via at least two Internet
Service Providers.
d. A daily data backup and archival system.
e. A record management system that maintains copies of all transactions,
correspondence, and communications with all registries for at least the
length of a registration contract.
2. MANAGEMENT POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PERSONNEL including:
a. A plan to ensure that the registrar's obligations to its customers
and to the registries will be fulfilled in the event that the registrar
goes out of business. This plan must indicate how the registrar would ensure
that domain name holders will continue to have use of their domain name
and that operation of the Internet will not be adversely affected.
b. Commonly-accepted procedures for information systems security to prevent malicious hackers and others from disrupting operations.
3. Independently inspected PHYSICAL SITES that features:
a. A backup power system.
b. A high level of security due to twenty-four-hour guards and appropriate
physical safeguards against intruders.
c. Remotely-stored backup files to permit recreation of customer
records.
Appendix 2
Minimum Dispute Resolution and Other Procedures related to Trademarks
1. Minimum Application Requirements:
b. Certification statement by the applicant that:
- it is entitled to register the domain name for which it is applying and knows of no entity with superior rights in the domain name; and
- it intends to use the domain name.
2. Searchable Database Requirements:
Utilizing a simple, easy-to-use, standardized search interface that features multiple field or string searching and the retrieval of similar names, the following information must be included in all registry databases, and available to anyone with access to the Internet:
- up-to-date ownership and contact information;
- up-to-date and historical chain of title information for the domain name;
- a mail address for service of process;
- the date of the domain name registration; and
- the date an objection to registration of the domain name was filed.
3. Updated Ownership, Contact and Use Information
a. At any time there is a change in ownership, the domain name owner must submit the following information:
- up-to-date contact and ownership information and
- a description of how the owner is using the domain name, or, if
the domain name is not in use, a statement to that effect.
4. Alternative Dispute Resolution of Domain Name Conflicts:
1. The RFC and comments received are available on the Internet at the following address: <http://www.ntia.doc.gov>.
2. See generally MDT Corp. v. New York Stock Exchange, 858 F. Supp. 1028 (C.D. Calif. 1994).
3. See Lockheed Martin Corp. v. Network Solutions, Inc., 1997 WL 721899 (C.D. Calif. 11/17/97); Panavision International v. Toeppen, 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20744, 41 U.S.P.Q.2d 1310 (C.D. Calif. 1996).
4. Management principles for the .us domain space are set forth in Internet RFC 1480, (http://www.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc1480.txt)