David Weslow Discusses Opportunities for e-Commerce Companies Related to Changes in Oversight of ICANN

David E. Weslow, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Intellectual Property Practice, was quoted in an Internet Retailer article published March 24 about a proposal from the United States to transfer oversight of certain “underlying technical functions” of the Internet.

According to the article, the Executive branch of the U.S. Government has asked the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to start developing a plan to transfer oversight of the particular technical functions of the Internet from the U.S. government to the international community.  Within the Executive branch, the U.S. Department of Commerce currently oversees the referenced technical functions performed by ICANN, the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating names and numbers in web addresses.

As part of the potential transfer, the Executive branch asked ICANN to form a “to-be-developed entity and/or processes” that will assume current U.S. responsibilities, Mr. Weslow said.  Once developed, the plan has to be approved by the U.S. government. 

“Retailers will have an opportunity to participate in ICANN’s development of the proposed transition plan and should take full advantage of this opportunity given the potential implications for their businesses,” Mr. Weslow said.

Click here to read the entire article.