Domain Name Issuer Seeks U.S. Recognition

The Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers asked the U.S. government to formally recognize it as the new steward for the crucial Domain Name System. In a letter to Becky Burr, associate administrator of the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, ICANN Interim Chairman Esther Dyson said the group adjusted its bylaws to make it more responsive to the general Internet community and establish a system to appeal ICANN’s decisions. Dyson also pledged to hold public meetings in conjunction with each regular board meeting. The NTIA tentatively endorsed Los Angeles-based ICANN last month but asked the group to make some changes to bring it more in line with the principles of the Clinton administration’s white paper. Burr could not be reached for comment.