[Project Report]

ICANN
Instructor: Imran Ali
Subject: Professional Practices

Section
Waqar Ahmed
Bilal Khan

7C
6808

Department of Software Engineering, Foundation

University Rawalpindi Campus
Who is ICANN?

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is a nonprofit organization that
coordinates the Internet's global domain name system. ICANN was formed in 1998, the rationale
behind the creation of this group was that it was important to establish a central figure which
could not only determine but also enforce Internet and Internet domain rules, regulations, and
policies. ICANN has played, and continues to play, an essential role in the creation and
maintenance of the Internet.
ICANN is responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) and the
unique assignment of:

Internet domain names;

Numerical IP Addresses;

Protocol Port Identifier Assignments;

DNS Root Server Systems

ICANN doesnt control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn't deal with
access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does
have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet.
Furthermore, they make sure that no one else has purchased them other than the individual or
entity who has claimed purchase of the domain name. Moreover, ICANN has the responsibility
of supervising and controlling the unique distribution of each domains unique IP address. One of
the ways they fulfill this responsibility is through working with a number of hosting companies
in which assign IP addresses to consumers.
Another function of ICANN is to accredit the domain name registers. Whenever ICANN
acknowledges a registrar's accreditation, the domain registrar then must follow a certain set of
rules and standards. By doing this, ICANN ensures that each of the registers customers is
receiving the same level of quality and assistance regardless of the domain register they choose.

Mission
The mission of The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") is to
coordinate, at the overall level, the global Internet's systems of unique identifiers, and in
particular to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. In
particular, ICANN:
1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the
Internet, which are
a. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS");
b. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and
c. Protocol port and parameter numbers.
2. Coordinates the operation and evolution of the DNS root name server system.
3. Coordinates policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical
functions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The ICANN Board of Directors ("Board") shall consist of sixteen voting members ("Directors").
In addition, four non-voting liaisons ("Liaisons"). Only Directors shall be included in
determining the existence of quorums, and in establishing the validity of votes taken by
the ICANN Board.

ADDRESS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION

DESCRIPTION
1. The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) shall advise the Board with respect to policy
issues relating to the operation, assignment, and management of Internet addresses.
2. The ASO shall be the entity established by the Memorandum of Understanding entered on 21
October 2004 between ICANN and the Number Resource Organization (NRO), an organization
of the existing regional Internet registries (RIRs).
ADDRESS COUNCIL
1. The ASO shall have an Address Council, consisting of the members of the NRO Number
Council.
2. The Address Council shall select Directors to those seats on the Board designated to be filled
by the ASO.

What is the ICANN fee?

ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) charges a mandatory
annual fee of $0.18 for each year of domain registration, renewal or transfer. For example, the
fee for a one-year .com registration would be $0.18 while it would be $0.36 for a two-year .com
registration.

How IP Assignment Works?

Each of the hosting companies that work with ICANN purchase a certain number of IP addresses
in which the hosting company assigns to each of their customers. Generally, when a shared
server utilized several domain names may potentially share the same IP address.

Who is Internic?
Internic was the first to provide information to the public about domain registrar services. This
was until 1998 when ICANN took over. The website for Internic was internic.net and was run by
AT&T and Network Solutions, Inc. Internic is licensed to ICANN and is a 'registered service
mark of the U.S. Department of Commerce.'
Created in 1993, the National Science Foundation created the Internet Network Information
Center (Internic). The creation was to manage the assignments of addresses. The contract was
awarded to three organizations. Directory and Database services were awarded to AT&T,
Registration to Network Solutions and Information was awarded to General Atomics.
When it comes to web hosting services the IP addresses must match without a problem so taking
care of this aspect is relegated and this is one of the tasks for which ICANN is directly
responsible. If you decide to choose a domain registrar which is not an ICANN approved
registrar you will probably end up paying too much for your registration. These are usually
resellers and they will end up using an ICANN registrar but you are getting it resold to you so
the cost will be more.
One thing you should be aware of is an authorized domain registrar is the only one allowed to
access the master database supported by Internic. They are also the only ones who may make
changes to the database. The web hosting service that you choose should be one that supports
ICANN and Internic. In order to ensure that you receive the best service possible and the
registration of the domain name you choose, using these services to ensure the name is going to
be all yours is essential.

Internic, which works to provide information to the public on domain name registrants.
Therefore, each of the search requests made on a domain name on the Internic WHOIS server
goes through the system's registered information. Each successful search result in turn displays

the requested results. Each time a domain name registration occurs within the ICANN database,
Internic then catalogues the information for the WHOIS server.
Furthermore, you can find a directory of domain registers within the Internic website as well.
Although, this can prove helpful it also can prove difficult at the same time since there are
thousands of registrars available. One of the benefits of using the Internic list relates to how it
ensures the registrar you select is accredited, as well as conforms to ICANN's standards.
Additionally, you have the ability to report any registrar on the Internic website found failing to
adhere to the standards set by ICANN. You can do this by filling out a form on the website. In
addition, the form allows you to correct any inaccurate information found within your domain
listing within the Internic database.

Who Governs the Internet?

Governance of the Internet has gone through various stages. Prior to 1995, the Internet was a
government program. Beginning in 1995, private corporations were given control of the
technical infrastructure as well as the process of granting IP addresses and domain names.
However, the monopoly created in this period did not represent international users of the
Internet. President Clinton using the funds from the Department of Commerce, encouraged the
establishment of an International body called the Internet Corporation for Assigning Numbers
and Names (ICANN) that hopefully could better represent a wider range of countries and a
broad range of interests and begin to address emerging public policy issues in the E-commerce I
period. ICANN was intended to be an International self-governing body not another government
agency.
However, the explosive growth of the Internet created a number of issues over which ICANN
had no authority. Content issues such as pornography, gambling and offensive writings and
graphics ushered in the current era of growing governmental regulation of the Internet
throughout the world.
Early Internet advocates argued that Internet was different from all previous technologies. Its
ability to cross borders, inherent decentralized design, scalability and many other factors
nullified the concept of control over it. The popular slogan was, "Information wants to be free".

In fact, the Internet is technically very easily controlled and moderated from central locations.
For instance, in China, access to the Internet is controlled from government-owned centralized
routers that direct traffic across their borders and within the country or via strictly regulated ISPs
operating within the countries. This permits government to block access to U.S. or European web
sites. In China, all ISPs need a license from the Ministry of Information Industry and they are
prohibited from disseminating any information that may harm the state or permit pornography,
gambling or advocacy of cults.
Yahoo's Chinese web page unlike Yahoo's domestic U.S. and European web pages never mention
the harvesting of organs from Chinese prisoners or the Falun Gong spiritual movement because
of fears of offending the Chinese government and disrupting their business objectives in China.
In United States, efforts to control media content have run up against equally powerful social and
political values that protect freedom of expression.
Today also there isn't any particular organization who exercises control over Internet. It is still
governed by volunteer groups who exercise control over Internet to some extent but there is no
complete authority. These are:
1. Internet Activities Board (IAB) - It is comprised of Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
and Internet Research Task Force (IRTF). It is a technical body that oversees the development of
the Internet suite of protocols.
2. Internet Network Information Center (InterNic) - It provides various registry services
needed for the Internet to operate effectively.
3. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - It is a joint initiative between MIT, CERN and
INRIA to develop standards for the evolution of the web.
If we talk about security then the Internet is still not foolproof and there are many loop-holes in
it. But it is not a weak infrastructure too. It is not easy for a hacker or wrong doer to get away
easily with whatever he wants to do and the network specialists are there to protect us online.

What is UDRP?
Fortunately, victims of domain name abuse have an effective tool to fight cybersquatting. The
Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) adopted in 1999 by the International Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the international body responsible for domain
name governance, has been used to address thousands of domain name conflicts.
As an ICANN UDRP Panelist with over 125 reported decisions, I have read many submissions,
some very good, many bad.
Here are six recommendations for UDRP submissions.
1. The Complaint (or Answer) should be a brief. This is your only chance to argue your position.
Treat it like a memorandum in support of a motion for preliminary injunction or summary
judgment by presenting your case as an advocate. Mere notice pleading allowed in our federal
system is not effective for the circumstances.
2. The Pleading should be brief. Although the provider's limitations on length are largely ignored
and exceeded, as a Panelist I urge you to remember that effective legal writing is brief and to the
point.
3. The Pleadings should follow the Policy. Follow the elements of the Policy in stating your
position. Remember that the Panel must address each of these issues. Make it easy for the Panel
to decide in your favor by organizing your argument around each element of the claim or
defense.
4. Support your position with proof. You need more than bald allegations to prove rights and bad
faith, and you will find an increasing number of cases in which complainants are called upon to
make additional submissions or lose their claim due to lack of proof. Strong submissions present
evidence by way of exhibits and short affidavits. But don't merely shovel in piles of documents.
Remember point 2.
5. Make good use of supporting authority. Give cases to support your argument and show why
the cases are relevant. Avoid merely citing cases. There have been over 10,000 reported UDRP

decisions. Don't assume the Panel knows the result and reasoning of each case you cite. Help the
Panel by providing at least a parenthetical on the cases you cite.
6. Recognize the limits of the Policy. The Policy is designed to address cases of cybersquatting
involving protectable trademarks. It is not intended for contract disputes, garden variety
infringement cases, defamation claims, or personal names that are not entitled to commercial
protection. Adverse decisions are often the result of claims that obviously stretch beyond the
scope of the Policy. Matters outside the scope of the Policy are better directed to appropriate civil
courts.
Since 1999, we have used the UDRP to help our clients recover hundreds of domain names from
cyber squatters at a fraction of the cost of ordinary civil litigation. Used properly, the UDRP is an
effective tool to aid businesses protect their interests in cyberspace.

WHO IS IANA?
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is a department of ICANN responsible for
coordinating some of the key elements that keep the Internet running smoothly. Whilst the
Internet is renowned for being a worldwide network free from central coordination, there is a
technical need for some key parts of the Internet to be globally coordinated, and this coordination
role is undertaken by IANA.
Specifically, IANA allocates and maintains unique codes and numbering systems that are used in
the technical standards (protocols) that drive the Internet.
IANAs various activities can be broadly grouped in to three categories:
Domain Names
IANA manages the DNS Root, the .int and .arpa domains, and an IDN practices resource.
Number Resources
IANA coordinates the global pool of IP and AS numbers, providing them to Regional Internet
Registries.
Protocol Assignments
Internet protocols numbering systems are managed by IANA in conjunction with standards
bodies.

IANA is one of the Internet's oldest institutions, with its activities dating back to the 1970s.
Today it is a set of services provided by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers, an internationally-organized non-profit organization set up by the Internet community
to help coordinate IANAs areas of responsibilities.

Mission Statement
This statement describes the role of the IANA Department:
The IANA team is responsible for the operational aspects of coordinating the Internets unique
identifiers and maintaining the trust of the community to provide these services in an unbiased,
responsible and effective manner.

IANA's Policy
IANA aims not to directly set policy by which it operates, instead implementing agreed policies
and principles in a neutral and responsible manner. Using the policy setting forums provided by
ICANN, policy development for domain name operations and IP addressing is arrived at by
many different stakeholders. ICANN has a structure of supporting organizations that contribute
to deciding how ICANN runs, and in turn how IANA develops. The development of Internet
protocols, which often dictate how assignments protocol should be managed, are arrived at
within the Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet Engineering Steering Group, and the
Internet Architecture Board.
To improve its operations, IANA is actively involved in outreach too. As well as in ICANN
forums, IANA participates in meetings and discussions with TLD operators, Regional Internet
Registries, and other relevant communities. The Authority provides a manned helpdesk at IETF
meetings to allow one-to-one interaction with its largest community of users protocol
developers.

References:

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/
http://www.iana.org/about
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Assigned_Numbers_Authority
http://www.powershow.com/view/144c3fNTBkY/Reorganization_of_ICANN_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
http://ezinearticles.com/expert/Scott_Spjut/653670
https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/1256/2201/what-is-theicann-fee