Shop.org has actively been monitoring ICANN’s proposal to create unlimited gTLDs.  We, along with NRF, have joined the Coalition for Online Trademark Protection and are working hard to raise the awareness of key policy makers in Washington.

The Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet held a hearing titled, “Oversight of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)” on Thursday, June 4, 2009.  The hearing  examined issues related to ICANN, including the expiring Joint Project Agreement between the Department of Commerce and ICANN, as well as ICANN’s proposed introduction of new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs).  A summary of the hearing is at the Subcommittee’s website.

The House hearing was a good first step towards shining light on this important issue and the Senate is scheduled to follow-up with a hearing in mid-July.

Press coverage: WSJ: Verizon Urges Caution In Expanding Names Of Web Site Domains

 Web Hosting Review: ICANN Hearing Focuses on Security

PC World: Lawmakers: Keep ICANN Oversight With US

If you are interested in being updated on policy developments, or becoming involved, please visit http://www.shop.org/policy

-Josh