Following is a summary of points discussed in the parallel Japanese Online
Conference.
26th February to 4th March
The topic of domain names was discussed.
(Reference: In particular, the American government has issued a Green Paper
entitled 'A Proposal to improve technical management of Internet names and
addresses. Discussion draft 1/30/98'. The proposal concerns a worldwide
framework for the management of domain names, and includes the revision of
the present IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority).)
The historical introduction at the beginning of the paper goes on about the
part that the American government has played in supporting the Internet, as
if the Internet itself were the invention of the American government, and
completely ignores the work done in developing the Internet by volunteers
in other countries.
Also, it talks about encompassing domain name management within a single
new entity, and that to be based in America, and under the management of
the American government. Even though the director of the new body may be
elected from among different countries, there's no way this could be said
to be an impartial setup.
However, it cannot be said, based on this green paper alone, that America's
domination of the Internet is growing.
