April 29, 2005

What They Won't Tell You

I see that ICANN is advertising for applications to its nominating committee.

Isn't it interesting how ICANN changes its description of itself over the years?  ICANN's self description is becoming even more vague about the specific nature of its job, and the words "technology" and "technical" in reference to "ensuring stability" are becoming increasingly rare.

ICANN has become a place where directors and officers seem to abandon their talent for independent thought and decision and become just part of a herd of rubber stamps ready to moo quietly and then approve whatever ICANN's staff puts before them.  For a body that is pulling several hundred million dollars per year out of the pockets of internet users, this kind of amateur behavior is, to put it mildly, extremely disappointing.

I will repeat my advice from two years ago:

Any person who is considering becoming a Director of ICANN (or any other corporate entity) ought to consult with his or her own personal legal counsel.

(Although I am a licensed California attorney, the above is not intended to be, nor is it, legal advice; you should consult with your own personal legal counsel on these matters.)

Posted by karl at April 29, 2005 1:30 AM