Vinton Cerf's testimony about the new domain names

Vinton Cerf, chairman of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICCAN), testified on Thursday, February 8, before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet about the introduction of the new domain names.

The selection the 7 new domain names by ICANN on November 16, has raided many complaints and legitimate questions about the fairness of the application and selection process.

Cerf admitted Thursday that the process of choosing seven new domain names was in some measure subjective and likely bypassed qualified candidates. However, Cerf affirmed that "ICANN's processes are and have been transparent. The goals and procedures were derived from public comments, clearly laid out at the beginning of the process, and all decisions were made in full public view. Given the importance of care and prudence in the process, and the potentially devastating results of a misstep, ICANN has and will continue to err on the side of caution. This may mean slower progress than some would like, but it will also reduce and hopefully eliminate the potential for the catastrophic effects on business and personal use of the Internet that malfunction or other instability of the DNS would produce."

Full text of the testimony of Vint Cerf Before U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet

Photo © Arxiu RSR: Vinton Cerf in Mallorca, receiving the Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of the Balearic Islands 1998.

Date of publication: 11/02/2001

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