Re: [ga] ICANN not a Governing Body

[DPF <david@farrar.com>]

On Sun, 01 Apr 2001 20:12:02 -0700, you wrote:

>I grow stupid in that I cannot help people understand the area that I truly do
>understand.
>
>Whether we like it or not, the U.S. Government owns the Internet.  I ask all who
>disagree to contact our lawyers, Touton and Sims and ask their opinion and from
>what my lawyer told me they have about 48 hours to get back to you, otherwise
>they are neglectful. Remember we are the clients not the Board.

The USG does not own the Internet.  No-one does.  It is a semi self
regulated anarchy.  

The USG asserts policy control over Root Server A and as this root
server is located within the US this is a fair claim.  Jon Postel if
alive might have been able to dispute this but no-one can.

However there is nothing at all which forces ISPs etc to use Root
Server A.  While it currently is by far the best option to follow it
is not impossible that if the USG made totally repugnant decisions
(deleting a ccTLD due to a foreign policy clash with a country) then
the majority of ISPs could well decide to go elsewhere in protest.

So the USG does not own the Internet.  It does not even own the DNS.
It merely controls Root Server A.  

DPF
--
david@farrar.com
ICQ 29964527
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