ICANN-Verisign Agreement: A Historic Pact for the Internet
The ICANN-Verisign agreement is a significant milestone in the history of the Internet. The agreement, signed in 2006, is a pact between two of the Internet`s most influential organizations, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Verisign, the company that manages the .com top-level domain (TLD).
The agreement helps regulate the management of the .com TLD, which is the world`s most popular domain extension, accounting for over 50% of all registered domain names. The pact states that Verisign will retain the right to manage the .com TLD until 2024, after which it will be open to re-bidding.
One of the key aspects of the agreement is the price cap on domain registrations for .com. The cap limits the amount Verisign can charge domain registrars for .com registrations, ensuring that the cost of domain names remains reasonable and affordable for businesses and individuals alike.
The agreement also includes provisions for enhanced security and stability of the .com TLD. Verisign is required to maintain a high level of uptime and security, ensuring that the .com TLD remains available and secure at all times.
Another important aspect of the agreement is the requirement for Verisign to maintain a thick WHOIS database for .com. The WHOIS database contains information about the registered owner of a domain name, including their name, address, and contact information. This information is important for law enforcement agencies, intellectual property lawyers, and other stakeholders who need to identify the owner of a domain name.
The ICANN-Verisign agreement has been the subject of much debate and controversy over the years. Critics argue that the agreement gives Verisign too much control over the .com TLD and that the price cap is too high, leading to higher prices for domain registrars and ultimately for consumers. Others argue that the agreement is necessary to ensure the stability and security of the Internet`s most popular TLD.
Despite the controversy, the ICANN-Verisign agreement remains in place today and is likely to continue to shape the Internet for years to come. As the Internet evolves and new technologies emerge, it will be important for ICANN and Verisign to work together to ensure that the .com TLD remains stable, secure, and accessible to everyone.