March 2012 - Rt4-whois - lists.icann.org

Fwd: Contractual Compliance Newsletter - March 2012
by Denise Michel March 11, 2012

March 11, 2012

[image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> March 2012 Contractual Compliance Newsletter Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers http://www.icann.org/en/resources/compliance/ *March 2012* Purpose This newsletter is to inform readers and encourage community dialogue regarding ICANN's Contractual Compliance program. In This Issue 1. Compliance Team Gains Four <#135f86524e7790be_1> 2. Suspension Commences for ICANN-Accredited Registrar<#135f86524e7790be_2> 3. More than 90% of Registrars Responded to Whois Data Reminder Policy Audit <#135f86524e7790be_3> 4. Registrar and Registry Self-Assessment Questionnaire Pilots<#135f86524e7790be_4> Compliance Team Gains Four Since the ICANN 42 Public Meeting in Dakar, the Contractual Compliance department has *added four team members<http://www.icann.org/en/resources/compliance/staff> *. The 12-person team collectively speaks *seven languages*: Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish and Urdu. The new staff members fill key roles in Performance Measurement and Reporting, Risk and Audit Management and Compliance Complaint Analyst and Manager. Suspension Commences 8 March 2012 for ICANN Accredited Registrar On 16 February 2012 ICANN issued a 30-day suspension<http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/burnette-to-acir-16feb12-en.pdf>[PDF, 310 KB] to registrar, Alantron Bilişim Ltd, for failure to maintain adequate domain registration records and to make those records available for inspection by ICANN. The suspension effectively means the ICANN-accredited registrar cannot create any new domain names, nor accept inbound transfers of any registered domain names during the suspension period. Alantron has until 28 March 2012 to cure these breaches to have the suspension lifted. Failure to cure these breaches in a timely manner will result in termination of Alantron’s RAA. More than 90% of Registrars Respond to Whois Data Reminder Policy Audit The *2011 Whois Data Reminder Policy Audit* was launched on 26 January 2012. Preliminary audit results show that 846 out of 920 registrars that are under the 2009 RAA, or 91%, responded to the audit. Failure to respond to an ICANN audit request may amount to a breach of the 2009 RAA. Contractual Compliance is following up with those registrars that did not respond, in accordance with our process and the RAA. Registrar and Registry Self-Assessment Questionnaire Pilots *The Registrar RAA self-assessment audit questionnaire pilot* was completed on 20 February 2012. The *Registry self-assessment questionnaire pilot* was launched on 24 February 2012. The pilots are intended to evaluate the tools, the clarity and appropriateness of the questions, ease of data collection, time required for compliance assessment and reporting of results. Contractual Compliance will be evaluating the results and feedback received from participating registrars and registries to determine the formal launch dates of these new initiatives. This message was sent to michel(a)icann.org from: ICANN | 4676 Admiralty Way Suite 330 | Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6601 Email Marketing by [image: iContact - Try It Free!]<http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> Manage Your Subscription <http://app.icontact.com/icp/mmail-mprofile.pl?r=9827377&l=6333&s=M0RM&m=876…>

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WHOIS Studies
by Denise Michel March 11, 2012

March 11, 2012

Dear Susan, There's a webpage that keeps people up-to-date on the WHOIS Studies that Liz Gasster is managing: http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois/studies. Its contents, which includes delivery dates, are copied below. Note that the Survey on Privacy/Proxy Relay/Reveal will be done by early April. Regards, Denise Denise Michel ICANN Advisor to the President & CEO denise.michel(a)icann.org +1.408.429.3072 mobile +1.310.578.8632 direct *Whois Misuse Study<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28sep09-en.htm> *. This study examines the extent to which public Whois contact information for gTLD domain names is misused to address harmful communications such a phishing or identity theft. The Carnegie Mellon University Cylab<http://www.cylab.cmu.edu/> in Pittsburgh, PA, USA is performing this study and expects to have initial results in mid-2013. To learn more about this study: click on the link above. *Whois Registrant Identification Study<http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois/tor-whois-registrant-id-studies-20may11-…> *. This study uses Whois to classify entities that register gTLD domain names, including natural persons, legal persons, and Privacy/Proxy service providers. Using associated Internet content, it then classifies entities using those domains and potentially commercial activities. NORC at the University of Chicago has been selected to conduct this study, with initial results expected late 2012. To learn more about this study: click on the link above. *Whois Privacy and Proxy Services Abuse Study<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-18may10-en.htm> *. This study examines the extent to which gTLD domain names used to conduct illegal or harmful Internet activities are registered via Privacy or Proxy services to obscure the perpetrator's identity. Contract negotiations are underway to perform this study, with results expected in early 2013. To learn more about this study: click on the link above. *Whois Privacy and Proxy Relay/Reveal Survey<http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois/whois-pp-relay-reveal-feasibility-survey…> *. This survey will determine the feasibility of conducting a future in-depth study into communication Relay and identity Reveal requests sent for gTLD domain names registered using Proxy and Privacy services. The Interisle Consulting Group in Boston, MA, USA is performing this survey and expects to have initial results early in 2012. To learn more about this study: Contact info(a)whois-survey.net. *Whois Service Requirements Survey*. The study will survey community members to estimate the level of agreement with the conclusions and assumptions in the Inventory of Whois Service Requirements – Final Report. A GNSO Working Group was assembled in 2011 to create a survey and this work is underway. To learn more about this study: Whois Survey Working Group Wiki space https://community.icann.org/display/WSDT/WHOIS+Survey+Working+Group+-+Home WHOIS Survey Working Group Statements of Interest – June 2011<http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois/soi-whois-dt-17jun11-en.htm> GNSO WHOIS Survey Working Group (WSWG) Charter - Approved 6 October 2011<http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois/charter-wswg-06oct11-en.pdf>

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SUNDAY - Where do I need to be today?
by Alice Jansen March 11, 2012

March 11, 2012

13:00-18:00 -- WHOIS Review Team Meeting - Girasol Description: This is the WHOIS Policy Review Team's working session. Public attendance is welcome but comments should be submitted during the Interaction with the Community Session scheduled for Monday, 12 March, 14:00-15:30 or through its public comment box at: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/whois-rt-draft-final-report-05dec11-… Agenda: Please refer to document attached Bridge details: Please refer to https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreviewprivate/Bridge+Details --- 15:45-16:45 -- WHOIS Review Team – GNSO Council meeting - La Paz B Description: Meeting between the GNSO Council and WHOIS Review Team to provide input to the draft report. Agenda: Please refer to document attached Bridge details: Please refer to https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreviewprivate/Bridge+Details --- 19:30-22:00 -- WHOIS Policy Review Team dinner – Sakura Restaurant Reservation under Nordling Private room ---------- -- Alice Jansen Assistant, Organizational Reviews 6 Rond Point Schuman, Bt.5 B-1040 Brussels Belgium Direct dial: +32 2 234 78 64 Mobile: +32 4 73 31 76 56 Skype: alice_jansen_icann

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GNSO Council's questions
by Alice Jansen March 11, 2012

March 11, 2012

Dear Review Team Members, Attached you will find the GNSO Council's questions which follow on from the webinar held on 19 January 2012. This document is for review at your meeting today - 13:00-18:00 (Girasol) - in preparation for your session with the GNSO scheduled for today - 15:45-16-45 (La Paz B). Thanks, Kind regards Alice -- Alice Jansen Assistant, Organizational Reviews 6 Rond Point Schuman, Bt.5 B-1040 Brussels Belgium Direct dial: +32 2 234 78 64 Mobile: +32 4 73 31 76 56 Skype: alice_jansen_icann

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Gary Kibbey join us in Costa?
by Emily Taylor March 9, 2012

March 9, 2012

Hi Sharon We will miss you in Costa Rica and I'm sure you're heartbroken to learn that you are missing out on a 6 am flight out of Heathrow on a Saturday morning. I just wanted to extend an invitation to Gary to join our meetings this week in your stead. Best wishes Emily -- * * 76 Temple Road, Oxford OX4 2EZ UK t: +44 (0)1865 582 811 • m: +44 (0)7540 049 322 emily(a)emilytaylor.eu *www.etlaw.co.uk* Emily Taylor Consultancy Limited is a company registered in England and Wales No. 7630471. VAT No. 114487713.

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Public Forum slides
by Kathy Kleiman March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

Hi All, As we prepare for departure, could you kindly take a fast look at these slides for the Public Forum? They include all the detail from prior presentations, plus some of the background information that people asked us about in our informational meeting. We are still finalizing edits (and especially formatting, bullets, etc), but I want to get them out to you as soon as possible. These slides are due 48 hours before the presentation (it's a main ballroom rule we just learned). So edits by Friday night, please! Best and safe travels! Kathy p.s. please send the edits to me, Emily and Alice --> Alice holds the pen! --

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IN FLIGHT READING - Summary of comments
by Alice Jansen March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

Dear Review Team Members, In preparation for the Costa Rica meeting, please review the written comments submitted to your public comment box - http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/whois-rt-draft-final-report-05d…. Note that the paper was written with all comments submitted on or before 3/6/2012 and more may have arrived since then. Thanks a lot, Kind regards Alice -- Alice Jansen Assistant, Organizational Reviews 6 Rond Point Schuman, Bt.5 B-1040 Brussels Belgium Direct dial: +32 2 234 78 64 Mobile: +32 4 73 31 76 56 Skype: alice_jansen_icann

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For your Information - Handout for Public
by Alice Jansen March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

Dear Review Team Members, Attached you will find a document for participants. This handout will be distributed to audience during your meetings. Thanks, Kind regards Alice

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COSTA RICA - Schedule + Agenda
by Alice Jansen March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

Dear Review Team Members, Please find enclosed the final version of your Costa Rican schedule. Kindly note that you should all have received outlooks invitations for these sessions. This version of the schedule includes agendas and sessions you may be interested in. Please read. The schedule is also available at: https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreview/San+Jose+Meeting Sharon, Lynn & Lutz, bridge details are enclosed in invitations and also available on the private wiki at: https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreviewprivate/Bridge+Details Have a safe journey to Costa Rica. Be kindly reminded that practical information is available on the ICANN website at: http://costarica43.icann.org/info. Note: It is highly recommended that you pay the airport departure tax at the Ramada/or your hotel should offer you that service from their concierge in order to avoid long and messy queues at the airport. See you soon! Kind regards Alice Sunday 13:00-18:00 -- WHOIS Review Team Meeting - Girasol Description: This is the WHOIS Policy Review Team's working session. Public attendance is welcome but comments should be submitted during the Interaction with the Community Session scheduled for Monday, 12 March, 14:00-15:30 or through its public comment box at: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/whois-rt-draft-final-report-05dec11-… Agenda: Note: Meeting with GNSO Council at 15:45-16:45 – La Paz B 1. Opening remarks & outline of Costa Rican activities 2. Report of Members' outreach activities to solicit feedback 3. Develop a common strategy and objectives for the ICANN week 4. Preparation for second meeting with GNSO Council, including discussion/consensus on responses to GNSO Council's questions (Sunday – 15:45-16:45) * Refer to https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreview/Call+with+the+GNSO+Council+…<https://community.icann.org/> 5. Preparation for follow-up meeting with GAC (Tuesday – 11:00-12:00) * Refer to https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreview/Call+with+the+GAC+-+14+Febr…<https://community.icann.org/> 6. Preparation for meeting with Board (Wednesday – 09:15-10:15) * Refer to https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreviewprivate/Call+with+ICANN+Boar…<https://community.icann.org/> 7. Preparation for Public Forum, including questions we are like to receive and slides we will present (Monday – 16:30-18:00) 8. Discuss other WHOIS and Consumer Trust sessions in CR and whether delegates from Review Team should attend and report back. 9. Consider a methodology for processing comments (written and oral) * Review Comment Template prepared by Alice for each Team Member (to note oral comments received in the Public Forum and other sessions) for use in Wednesday's all-day meeting. 10. Begin review of comments received to date and discuss approach to working through issues raised (time allowing) * Review Comment Summary prepared by Alice (of written comment received to date) 11. A.O.B --- NEW! 15:45-16:45 -- WHOIS Review Team – GNSO Council meeting - La Paz B Description: Meeting between the GNSO Council and WHOIS Review Team to provide input to the draft report. Agenda: Discussion of specific recommendations and implementation (following up on the GNSO Council webinar of 19 January 2012), and addressing the GNSO Council questions raised at that time. 1. Brief outline of the WHOIS Review Team's findings & recommendations 2. Responses from the WHOIS Review to the GNSO Council's questions to the WHOIS (please refer to: https://community.icann.org/display/whoisreview/Call+with+the+GNSO+Council+…<https://community.icann.org/> 3. Q&A and discussion 4. Public comment period & final report --- 19:30-22:00 -- WHOIS Policy Review Team dinner - Location: TBD ---------- Monday 07:30-09:30 -- WHOIS Review Team Breakfast (in preparation for afternoon public session) - Girasol - CLOSED Agenda: Note: Breakfast will be served. 1. Breakfast 2. Chair's opening remarks 3. Briefing: * Logistics * Approach * Spread the word! A.O.B --- 12:00-12:30 -- Compliance Program Overview - Girasol - http://costarica43.icann.org/full-schedule --- 13:00-15:00 -- RAA Progress Report and WHOIS Data Validation Workshop - La Paz A, La Paz C - http://costarica43.icann.org/node/29531 --- {*}NEW ! *16:30-18:00 -- WHOIS Interaction with the Community - La Paz A, C Description: Presentation of draft final report recommendations for the community's consideration and feedback. For more information please refer to: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-05dec11-en.htm Agenda: 1. Outline of WHOIS Review Team mandate & activities 2. Presentation of findings & recommendations 3. Q&A and discussion 4. Public comment period & final report --- 18:00-19:30 -- WHOIS Internal Debriefing - TBC - CLOSED Note: Drinks will be served 1. Let's go around the table! 2. Debriefing 3. Next steps 4. Prepare for sessions with the GAC and Board 5. A.O.B ---------- Tuesday 11:00-12:00 -- WHOIS Review Team - GAC meeting - Orquideas Description: Meeting between GAC and WHOIS Review Team to discuss the recommendations (following up on overviews already given) Agenda: Discussion of specific recommendations and implementation 1. Brief outline of the WHOIS Review Team's findings & recommendations 2. Discussion following from the WHOIS RT- GAC webinar held on 14 February 2012 and (ET) and (JB)'s discussions in Brussels on 7 February 2012 3. Q&A & additional discussion 4. Public comment period & final report ---------- Wednesday 08:00-17:00 -- WHOIS Policy Review Team Meeting - Girasol NOTE: Emily needs to leave at 3:00 PM. Aim to stop the session then but schedule makes allowance for more time, which Kathy will chair, if need be. Description: This is the WHOIS Policy Review Team's working session. Public attendance is welcome but comments should be submitted during the Interaction with the Community Session scheduled for Monday, 12 March, 16:30-18:00 or through its public comment box at: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/whois-rt-draft-final-report-05dec11-… Agenda: Note: Meeting with Board at 9:15 in Tiffany’s Lunch will be served. 1. Opening remarks 2. Preparatory session for Board meeting (9:15-10:15) 3. Continue discussion of methodology for processing comments (written and oral) * Review Comment Template prepared by Alice for each Team Member (to note oral comments received in the Public Forum and other sessions) for use in Wednesday's all-day meeting. 4. Begin review of comments received to date and discuss approach to working through issues raised (time allowing) * Review Comment Summary prepared by Alice (of written comment received to date) 5. Systematic Review of Recommendations and Report sections, including: * Review written Comments received and nature of change requested * Review oral Comments received at the Public Forum, Board, GAC and GNSO Council meetings and nature of change requested * Discuss recent Whois activities within other parts of the ICANN Community and whether they merit mention or change of the Report. 6. Identify sections of the report and appendices that require revision 7. Establish a list of action items and penholders 8. Reach agreement on deliverables and a teleconference schedule to meet the final report delivery date, i.e. 30 April 2012 9. A.O.B --- 09:15-10:15 -- WHOIS Review Team - Board of Directors meeting - Tiffany's Description: Meeting Between the Board & the WHOIS Policy Review Team to provide input into the draft report Agenda: Discussion of specific recommendations and implementation (following up on Board webinar of 29 February 2012) --- 11:00-12:30 -- Consumer Trust - Heliconia - http://costarica43.icann.org/node/29645 Description: This is a public meeting of the GNSO Consumer Trust, Consumer Choice, and Competition Drafting Team (CCTC-DT) Agenda: A discussion of the recent posting in the Public Forum of the CCTC-DT's draft Advise Letter and related measures and metrics. ---------- Thursday 13:00-14:00 -- Replacement of WHOIS - Bounganvilles Description: Presentation of the draft roadmap for the replacement of the WHOIS (port-43) protocol as directed by the Board and recommended by SSAC 051. Agenda: 1. Opening remarks by Kurt Pritz (5 min) 2. Presentation of draft roadmap for replacement of WHOIS by Francisco Arias and Steve Sheng (25 min) 3. Open microphone and discussion (30 min) -- Alice Jansen Assistant, Organizational Reviews 6 Rond Point Schuman, Bt.5 B-1040 Brussels Belgium Direct dial: +32 2 234 78 64 Mobile: +32 4 73 31 76 56 Skype: alice_jansen_icann

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Uncle Sam: If It Ends in .Com, It’s .Seizable
by Omar Kaminski March 6, 2012

March 6, 2012

Dear RT, I believe this issue could also "raises eyebrows" at some point on Whois and compliance. Best, Omar http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/feds-seize-foreign-sites/ Uncle Sam: If It Ends in .Com, It’s .Seizable By David Kravets March 6, 2012 | When U.S. authorities shuttered sports-wagering site Bodog.com last week, it raised eyebrows across the net because the domain name was registered with a Canadian company, ostensibly putting it beyond the reach of the U.S. government. Working around that, the feds went directly to VeriSign, a U.S.-based internet backbone company that has the contract to manage the coveted .com and other “generic” top-level domains. EasyDNS, an internet infrastructure company, protested that the “ramifications of this are no less than chilling and every single organization branded or operating under .com, .net, .org, .biz etc. needs to ask themselves about their vulnerability to the whims of U.S. federal and state lawmakers.” But despite EasyDNS and others’ outrage, the U.S. government says it’s gone that route hundreds of times. Furthermore, it says it has the right to seize any .com, .net and .org domain name because the companies that have the contracts to administer them are based on United States soil, according to Nicole Navas, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman. The controversy highlights the unique control the U.S. continues to hold over key components of the global domain name system, and rips a Band-Aid off a historic sore point for other nations. A complicated web of bureaucracy and Commerce Department-dictated contracts signed in 1999 established that key domains would be contracted out to Network Solutions, which was acquired by VeriSign in 2000. That cemented control of all-important .com and .net domains with a U.S. company – VeriSign – putting every website using one of those addresses firmly within reach of American courts regardless of where the owners are located – possibly forever. The government, Navas said, usually serves court-ordered seizures on VeriSign, which manages domains ending in .com, .net, .cc, .tv and .name, because “foreign-based registrars are not bound to comply with U.S. court orders.” The government does the same with the non-profit counterpart to VeriSign that now manages the .org domain. That’s the Public Interest Registry, which, like VeriSign, is based in Virginia. Such seizures are becoming commonplace under the Obama administration. For example, the U.S. government program known as Operation in Our Sites acquires federal court orders to shutter sites it believes are hawking counterfeited goods, illegal sports streams and unauthorized movies and music. Navas said the U.S. government has seized 750 domain names, “most with foreign-based registrars.” VeriSign, for its part, said it is complying with U.S. law. “VeriSign responds to lawful court orders subject to its technical capabilities,” the company said in a statement. “When law enforcement presents us with such lawful orders impacting domain names within our registries, we respond within our technical capabilities.” VeriSign declined to entertain questions about how many times it has done this. It often complies with U.S. court orders by redirecting the DNS (Domain Name System) of a domain to a U.S. government IP address that informs online visitors that the site has been seized (for example, ninjavideo.net.) “Beyond that, further questions should be directed to the appropriate U.S. federal government agency responsible for the domain name seizure,” the company said. The Public Interest Registry did not immediately respond for comment. Bodog.com was targeted because federal law generally makes it illegal to offer online sports wagering and to payoff online bets in the United States, even though online gambling isn’t illegal globally. Bodog.com was registered with a Canadian registrar, a VeriSign subcontractor, but the United States shuttered the site without any intervention from Canadian authorities or companies. Instead, the feds went straight to VeriSign. It’s a powerful company deeply enmeshed in the backbone operations of the internet, including managing the .com infrastructure and operating root name servers. VeriSign has a cozy relationship with the federal government, and has long had a contract from the U.S. government to help manage the internet’s “root file” that is key to having a unified internet name system. Still, the issue of the U.S.’s legal dominion claim over all .com domains wasn’t an issue in the January seizure of the domain of megaupload.com, which is implicated in one of the largest criminal copyright cases in U.S. history. Megaupload.com was registered in the United States with a registrar based in Washington state. The United States would have won even more control over the internet with the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act. But the nation’s biggest online protest ever scuttled the measures, which would have allowed the government to force internet service providers in the U.S. to prevent Americans from being able to visit or find in search engines websites that the U.S. government suspected violated U.S. copyright or trademark law. But as the Justice Department demonstrated forcefully with the takedown of Megaupload, just a day after the net’s coordinated anti-SOPA protest, it still has powerful weapons to use, despite the deaths of SOPA and PIPA. So how does International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the global body that oversees the domain-naming system, feel about the U.S. government’s actions? ICANN declined comment and forwarded a 2010 blog post from it’s chief Rod Beckstrom, who said ICANN has “no involvement in the takedown of any website.” ICANN, a non-profit established by the U.S., has never awarded a contract to manage the .com space to a company outside the United States — in fact VeriSign has always held it — despite having a contentious relationship with ICANN that’s involved a protracted lawsuit. But, due to contract terms, VeriSign is unlikely to ever lose control over the immensely economically valuable .com handle. ICANN is also seeking to distance itself from the U.S. government by being more inclusive, including allowing domain names in a range of written, global languages, ending the exclusivity of the Latin alphabet in top-level domains. Still, many outside the United States, like China, India and Russia, distrust ICANN and want control of the net’s naming system to be turned over to an organization such as the International Telecommunications Union, an affiliate of the United Nations. Last year, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Hamadoun Toure, the ITU’s chief, and said he wanted international control over the internet “using the monitoring capabilities of the International Telecommunication Union.” “If we are going to talk about the democratization of international relations, I think a critical sphere is information exchange and global control over such exchange,” Putin said, according to a transcript from the Russian government. Just last week, Robert McDowell, a Federal Communications Commission commissioner, blasted such an idea. “If successful, these efforts would merely imprison the future in the regulatory dungeon of the past,” he said. “Even more counterproductive would be the creation of a new international body to oversee internet governance.” ICANN was established in 1998 by the Clinton administration, and has been under global attack to internationalize the control of the Domain Name System ever since. A United Nations working group in 2005 concluded that “no single government should have a pre-eminent role in relation to international internet governance.” But those pressures don’t seem to have registered with President Barack Obama’s Justice Department. Hollywood was a big donor to Obama, and Obama reciprocated by naming at least five former Recording Industry Association of America attorneys to posts in the Justice Department, which has been waging a crackdown on internet piracy. The Justice Department is looking for even more money in next year’s budget to hire more intellectual-property prosecutors. Without SOPA or PIPA, the Justice Department lacks any mechanism to prevent Americans from visiting sites that are on a domain not controlled by a U.S. corporation. Knowing that, the world’s leading BitTorrent site, The Pirate Bay, recently switched its main site from a .org domain to .se, the handle for Sweden. The Pirate Bay’s lead is unlikely to be followed by the millions of non-U.S. companies that rely on .com, which remains the net’s beachfront real estate, even if it is subject to being confiscated by the U.S. But it is possible that the U.S. government’s big-footing over dot-com domains in the name of fighting copyright could add more weight to the arguments of those who want to put the U.N. in charge of the internet’s naming system. While that’s not inevitably a bad thing, it could lead to a world where any .com might be seizable by any country, including Russia, Libya and Iran. Still, don’t expect Uncle Sam to give up its iron grip on .com without a fight.

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