---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 01:27:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: cpsr-global@cpsr.org
2) CPSR Proposes "Domain Name Resolutions" (@)
by Andy Oram <andyo@ora.com> (by way of Marsha Woodbury)
(Excuse the cross-postings -- feel free to redistribute)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CPSR Proposes "Domain Name Resolutions" to Conference Concerning Domain
Name Corporation
June 30, 1998
Across the spectrum, participants in the debate over domain name policy see
it as a test case for future regulation and group decision-making about the
Internet. Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility today released a
paper called "Domain Name Resolutions: CPSR Proposals for the New
Corporation" on the eve of the International Forum on the White Paper.
The CPSR paper calls for representation by public-interest groups, not just
interested stakeholders, and says that the new rules for DNS "should not
establish any procedures or rules that amount to extensions of the rights
of trademark holders."
CPSR is also participating in the conference, which will discuss the
formation and activities of a new non-profit corporation that will be set
up according to a white paper released on June 5 by the U.S. Commerce
Department and that will coordinate all administrative issues related to
the assignment of domain names and IP numbers.
The paper points out that, "creative development work may be used to 'route
around' current domain name problems. However, this will not happen if
major players are focused solely on competitive advantage and short-term
commercial gain. For the good of Internet users past and present, the new
corporation should work with standards groups, ISPs, users, and any
interested parties to promote cooperative and collaborative efforts aimed
at solving these problems."
Harry Hochheiser, principal author of the paper, says, "The White paper
calls for the creation of a managing corporation that uses transparent
decision making to avoid capture from by self-interested factions. As
Internet users, it is our responsibility to stand up and be heard, and to
demand representation on the Board of the new corporation so that it will
be responsive to our needs."
The CPSR proposals include the following:
* The corporation's board should include public interest representation, in
the form of members who do not have direct financial stakes in the issues
being addressed by the corporation.
* The operations of the new corporation should be open, transparent, and
accountable.
* The new corporation should have an ombudsperson.
* The corporation should not create policy that extends the already
considerable rights of large trademark holders.
* IP number allocation should be equitable.
* The corporation should work to promote the operation of DNS as an industry.
* The corporation should take explicit actions to minimize the adverse
effects that expansion of the domain name space could have on end users.
* The new corporation should promote cooperation and collaboration in
Internet Governance issues.
The paper is available on the Web at
http://www.cpsr.org/dns/dns_resolutions.html and builds on CPSR submissions
to the Department of Commerce
(http://www.wia.org/pub/cpsr-dnsnoi-comments.html and
http://www.cpsr.org/cpsr/nii/cyber-rights/web/dns-ntia.html).
Contacts: Harry Hochheiser, hhochheiser@cpsr.org, (609) 497-9167
Glenn Manishin, glenn@technologylaw.com, (202) 955-6300
Harry Hochheiser
c/o Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
P.O. Box 717
Palo Alto, CA 94302-0717