1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 97-868 STMUpdated April 22, 2003Internet Domain Names: Background and Policy IssuesLennard G. KrugerSpecialist in Science and TechnologyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummary
2、To navigate the Internet requires using addresses (and corresponding names) thatidentify the location of individual computers. As the Internet grew, the method forallocating and designating those domain names became controversial. TheAdministration issued a White Paper in June 1998 endorsing the cre
3、ation of a new not-for-profit corporation of private sector Internet stakeholders to administer policy for theInternet name and address system. On November 25, 1998, the Department ofCommerce (DOC) formally approved a new corporation, called the Internet Corporationfor Assigned Names and Numbers (IC
4、ANN). A Memorandum of Understandingbetween ICANN and DOC has been extended through September 2003. During thistransition period, government obligations will be terminated as most DNSresponsibilities are transferred to the private sector. Issues in the 108th Congress includethe appropriate federal ro
