Brussels, 17/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - Last week, the Commission sent to the Council and to the Parliament a series of basic recommendations intended to improve the running of the Internet and the international coordination of its infrastructure. Above all, they concern the organisation of "dot.com" or "dot.gov" domain names systems and IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. It also proposed a code of conduct against cybersquatting. In a press release, the Commission recalls and stresses that Internet is no longer an American network used mainly by universities, government authorities and the army, but has become the main tool world-wide for communication, data collection and electronic commerce.
The Commission's strategic document explores ways that allow the largest number of Internet addresses. It suggests improving relations between private and public users in the Union. Its basic recommendations are: i) elect members of the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Council according to the transparent and globally representative principles; ii) ensure that its financing is transparent; iii) create a new name of "dot.EU" domain; iv) facilitate access to Internet thanks to appropriate pricing policies; v) use a protocol of addresses founded on numbers measuring 128 bits, in order to allow more addresses and uses; vi) reach consensus concerning ccTLD registration policies, National Coutnry Code Top Level Domains; vii) ensure that registrations of domain areas are conform to the principles relating to intellectual property and private data protection.
ICANN is a globally representative body, which manages Internet numbers and domain names. Domain names are tools which allow individuals and companies to communicate via Internet. The Commission and the EU member States, as members of a government committee advising ICANN, play a key role in bringing public interest and government policy issues to bear that affect Internet usage.