tailieunhanh - Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy Issues

Navigating the Internet requires using addresses and corresponding names that identify the location of individual computers. The Domain Name System (DNS) is the distributed set of databases residing in computers around the world that contain address numbers mapped to corresponding domain names, making it possible to send and receive messages and to access information from computers anywhere on the Internet. Many of the technical, operational, and management decisions regarding the DNS can have significant impacts on Internet-related policy issues such as intellectual property, privacy, Internet freedom, e-commerce, and cybersecurity. The DNS is managed and operated by a not-for-profit public benefit corporation called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names. | Internet Domain Names Background and Policy Issues Lennard G. Kruger Specialist in Science and Technology Policy January 3 2013 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 97-868 CRS Report for Congress------------- Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Internet Domain Names Background and Policy Issues Summary Navigating the Internet requires using addresses and corresponding names that identify the location of individual computers. The Domain Name System DNS is the distributed set of databases residing in computers around the world that contain address numbers mapped to corresponding domain names making it possible to send and receive messages and to access information from computers anywhere on the Internet. Many of the technical operational and management decisions regarding the DNS can have significant impacts on Internet-related policy issues such as intellectual property privacy Internet freedom e-commerce and cybersecurity. The DNS is managed and operated by a not-for-profit public benefit corporation called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ICANN . Because the Internet evolved from a network infrastructure created by the Department of Defense the . government originally owned and operated primarily through private contractors the key components of network architecture that enable the domain name system to function. A 1998 Memorandum of Understanding MOU between ICANN and the Department of Commerce DOC initiated a process intended to transition technical DNS coordination and management functions to a privatesector not-for-profit entity. While the DOC played no role in the internal governance or day-to-day operations of the DNS ICANN remained accountable to the . government through the MOU which was superseded in 2006 by a Joint Project Agreement JPA . On September 30 2009 the JPA between ICANN and DOC expired and was replaced by an Affirmation of Commitments AoC which provides for review panels to periodically .