ICANN's Selection of New Top-Level Domains: A Tale of Regulation and Scarcity

Title: ICANN's Selection of New Top-Level Domains: A Tale of Regulation and Scarcity

Research Question: How did ICANN select the new top-level domains and what implications does this have on their regulation and operation?

Methodology: The study used a historical narrative approach to analyze the process of ICANN's selection of new top-level domains. It relied on primary sources such as email communications, ICANN documents, and media reports to construct the timeline and describe the selection process.

Results: The research found that ICANN's selection of new top-level domains was a complex and contentious process. It paralleled the Federal Communications Commission's historic licensing procedures and was driven by a perceived scarcity of top-level domains. The selection process was described as "torturous" and "bizarre," and it took much longer than anticipated. The selected registries and ICANN staff had to negotiate extensive contracts that outlined the registries' operations and their compliance with ICANN's regulations. As of the writing of the paper, negotiations with some registries were still ongoing.

Implications: The study suggests that ICANN's selection process and subsequent regulation of the new top-level domains have far-reaching implications. The extensive regulation of the registries may limit their autonomy and innovation. Furthermore, the contentious selection process raises questions about ICANN's decision-making and its ability to effectively manage the domain name system. The study concludes that these issues deserve further study and discussion.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0109099v2 Authors: arXiv ID: 0109099v2