I'll be on a Capitol Hill panel to discuss ICANN and internet governance next Monday. Will try to keep Congress from getting involved. [https://netforum.avectra.com/public/EmailTrack.aspx?cli=IEF&img=7a4c525d-7ed...] The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee cordially invites you to... Influencing ICANN: What Role Will World Governments Have Over Internet Domain Functions? Monday, March 21, 2011 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, Luncheon Panel Debate and Q&A Rayburn House Office, Building Room B338 Please RSVP to RSVP@netcaucus.org<mailto:RSVP@netcaucus.org?subject=ICANN%20Briefing%20RSVP> or via phone to 202-407-8829. [UPDATE: At the time of this email ICANN has yet to decide important matters related to world governments' influence with ICANN including a decision about the .XXX domain. The ICANN board may decide such matters later today. Our brefing on Monday will be timely. This National Journal article<http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/03/icann-may-take-up-xrated-ag...> provides some background on the developing events at ICANN. We will be following #ICANN on Twitter. ] Just a reminder that our briefing,"Influencing ICANN: Do World Governments Want More Control Over Internet Domain Functions?," will take place on Monday 3/21 at Noon for Congressional staff and interested parties. This briefing will take place just days after ICANN,* the organization that manages the Internet's domain name addressing, responds to the governments of the world who seek additional scrutiny and conditions over the management of one of the Internet's most important functions. This is a follow up briefing for our closely related 2009 briefing "The Future of the U.S. Government's Role in ICANN, Internet Addressing and Internet Governance." Congressional interest in this important area of Internet architecture is obvious. Governmental control over Internet functions takes on new significance in light of the extraordinary events recently in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya fueled by Internet communications. Further, Congress continues to express concern over the impact of the Internet on intellectual property interests, which may be implicated by ICANN decisions. And, some Members of Congress have expressed angst about other International bodies such as the U.N. seeking more control over the Internet. Panelists Include: - Krista Papac, Chief Strategy Officer, AusRegistry International - Kristina Rosette, Covington & Burling - Steve DelBianco, NetChoice - Jamie Hedlund, ICANN What: Luncheon Panel Discussion and Q&A (Lunch will be served) Where: Rayburn House Office Building, Room B338 When: Monday, March 21, 2011, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm RSVP: Please RSVP to RSVP@netcaucus.org<mailto:RSVP@netcaucus.org?subject=ICANN%20Briefing%20RSVP> or via phone to 202-407-8829. Contact Cat Matsuda at 202-407-8829 for more details. * Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers This widely attended educational briefing is hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC), part of a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Congressional staff and members of the press welcome. The ICAC is a private sector organization comprised of public interest groups, trade associations, non-profits, and corporations. Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee 1634 I Street NW - Washington, DC 20006 www.NetCaucus.org<http://www.NetCaucus.org> Find us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/cicac> & Twitter<http://twitter.com/#!/netcaucusac>