U.S. Extends Pact With Internet Body

The Commerce Department said it would allow an Internet body to continue to oversee the online traffic system but set a one-year deadline for the group to improve its performance.

The Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers, known as ICANN, was created in 1998 to privatize the domain-name system. Since then, the Los Angeles nonprofit has faced accusations that it moves too slowly and favors well-connected insiders at the expense of everyday Internet users.

ICANN President M. Stuart Lynn said ICANN would be able to live up to the terms of the contract.