ICANN | Letter from Donald L. Evans, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, to Vint Cerf | 25 May 2001

  ICANN Logo

Letter from Donald L. Evans, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, to Vint Cerf

25 May 2001

US Commerce Depatrment Logo

THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
Washington, D.C. 20230

MAY 25 2001

Dr. Vinton Cerf
Chairman
Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers (ICANN)
4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Dear Dr. Cerf:

I am writing to express my support for your effort to facilitate competition in the top-level domain (TLD) market.

As you know, a policy statement was issued in 1998 indicating that the Department of Commerce would transition management of the Internet domain name system to the private sector. As part of this process, the Department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to implement this critical effort.

Since that time, the Internet has continued to grow, offering new and exciting global communications opportunities. ICANN has an ever-increasing responsibility to guide the evolution of the Internet domain name system in a positive fashion.

I understand that ICANN will soon consider new procedures to evaluate the current top level domain name program, including a potential timeline for the selection of new or previously proposed TLDs. I applaud you for undertaking this exercise. Competition and innovation would be well served by a wider choice of TLDs.

While I recognize the diversity of opinion within the Internet and intellectual property communities on top level domain procedures and an attendant need to maintain Internet stability and security, competition and selection are also critical factors. New TLD entrants represent that promise.

I appreciate your consideration. The Department of Commerce looks forward to working with you in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

 

Donald L. Evans


Comments concerning the layout, construction and functionality of this site
should be sent to webmaster@icann.org.

Page Updated 27-May-2001
(c) 2001 The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers All rights reserved.