Global Organization Advances Cause of Deregulation, New Competition to Better Serve Internet Growth

    The Internet Council of Registrars (CORE) today announced plans for the final testing of its Shared Registry System, followed by the introduction of its worldwide service to register new domain names on the Internet in March.

    "This launches a new era of deregulation and competition, as envisioned by the Internet Society (ISOC), the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the U.S. and other governments and worldwide organizations, which long ago identified the need for enhancement and expansion of the registry system," said Alan Hanson, chairman of the executive committee of CORE. "Users everywhere will soon have the freedom to choose their domain names and registrar, just as they choose their Internet service provider."

    The servers in the CORE Shared Registry System (SRS) will be ready for full service by mid-February, Hanson said. For acceptance testing, CORE will conduct an immediate external audit of the system for security, backup and disaster recovery. All aspects of the system were designed to meet the specifications of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

    Hanson said CORE will initially administer a set of seven new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs): .firm, .shop, .web, .arts, .rec, .info and .nom.

   "We are excited to reach this stage in the process," said Hanson, whose company will offer registration services in Southern California. "CORE registrars throughout the world are experiencing a deluge of e-mail asking when the new names will be available. With deregulation and the end to the previous monopoly, registration will be increasingly consumer-driven. Every member of CORE is dedicated to the highest level of customer service."

    Don Heath, president and chief executive officer of ISOC, said ISOC and IANA launched the enhancement and expansion process in fall 1996, creating the International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC) to resolve issues resulting from international debate over the registration of Internet domain names. Jon Postel, head of IANA, had proposed that up to 150 new international Top Level Domains (iTLDs) be added to allow more descriptive names and reduce the load primarily borne by the ".com" domain. The IAHC developed a specific action plan which included a structure for the worldwide administration and registration of domain names through POC and CORE.

    David Maher, chairman of POC, said the Council of Registrars, which includes 88 registrars from throughout the world, is organized to provide administrative support for registering the new names and subsequently introducing additional gTLDs.

    "We envision people around the world responding to new choices and the registrars responding with improved customer service and lower prices," Maher said. "In addition, POC and CORE look forward to the ongoing cooperation and collaboration of people, companies, associations, academicians and government agencies from throughout the world who have participated in this process."

    Maher, a trademark attorney with the firm of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal in Chicago and an expert on Internet law, said the timing of the launch of the new domain names coincides with the activation of the Administrative Challenge Panel procedures which will be administered by the Arbitration and Mediation Center at the World Intellectual Property Organization. The WIPO provides a Domain Name Challenge Panel so that trademark owners will have the option of
resolving disputes in the new gTLDs quickly and inexpensively.

    The 88 CORE registrars are in 23 countries, with 25 registrars in the United States. The breadth and depth of the organization ensures local service and responsiveness of the highest order -- something that has been missing from the existing generic Top Level Domain registration system. Through local registrars, the Internet will continue to grow as a vibrant grass roots phenomenon.

    "CORE is supportive of growing competition because the ultimate success of anything on the Internet should be determined by the value it provides and the contributions it makes to the overall culture," Hanson said. "The Internet is perhaps the world's fastest testing ground for new services and ideas. If the users don't like it, they will simply leave."

    Maher said POC and CORE support the concepts advanced by the Clinton Administration and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. This includes having IANA continue in its vital role as manager of the Root. The single Root is essential for the timely assignment, coordination and management of numerous Internet protocols to ensure universal access to names on the Internet.

    The CORE Shared Registry System, a centralized repository of the domain name information, will be maintained and operated by Emergent Corp. under a contract to CORE. The SRS generates the zone files that let Internet users access the new domain names. The SRS is secure, reliable and scaleable and can support enormous growth in the future.

    Heath, of ISOC, said the CORE gTLDs are modeled after existing TLDs, such as .com and .net. The domain name system provides broad parameters so as not to stifle future growth or set arbitrary definitions. As with .com, meaning will be given and standards established by users.

    CORE will be expanding it Web site to provide users with a one-stop jumping-off point for information on domain names, regulations throughout the world and basic guidelines for working with the World Intellectual Property Organization and other organizations on global issues.

    "We want to work with all organizations in a compatible and collaborative way toward a common goal: the ongoing improvement of the Internet for people everywhere," Hanson said.

For further information, check the CORE Web site at www.gtld-mou.org or call:

    Tom Gable (tomg@gablegroup.com)
    Dianne Gleason (dianne@gablegroup.com)
    Aimee Cebulski (aimee@gablegroup.com)
    The Gable Group
    619/234-1300

    Judy Whittlesey (judithhw@aol.com)
    Clarkson Hine (cchine@aol.com)
    Catharine Dickey
    Sheila O'Neil
    Susan Davis International
    202/408-0808

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   CONTACT:  The Gable Group
             Tom Gable (tomg@gablegroup.com)
             Dianne Gleason (dianne@gablegroup.com)
             Aimee Cebulski (aimee@gablegroup.com)
             619/234-1300
                or
             Susan Davis International
             Judy Whittlesey (judithhw@aol.com)
             Clarkson Hine (cchine@aol.com)
             Catharine Dickey
             Sheila O'Neil
             202/408-0808

   KEYWORD:  DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
   INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET COMED