Lawmakers urge Commerce to ‘take all steps necessary’ to delay rollout of new domains

{mosads} But an array of advertisers, businesses and nonprofits are worried the plan could force them to defensively buy up potential domains related to their brand. 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz warned ICANN last week that the plan would create opportunities for scammers to set up fake websites to take advantage of consumers.

In response to Leibowitz’s concerns, ICANN President Rod Beckstrom said the domain proposal was “thoroughly debated for more than six years” and had input from a variety of experts.

He said the group will implement tough protections to ensure the new domains do not infringe on copyrights and the program will be “implemented in a measured, limited manner.” 

But in their letter to the Secretary Bryson, Goodlatte and Berman echoed the concerns of Leibowitz and business groups. They said the Commerce Department has a “responsibility” to ensure that ICANN’s actions are in the public interest.

ICANN is an independent, international nonprofit that is not under the direct control of any government agency, but it has signed an “affirmation of commitments” with the Commerce Department.

The lawmakers asked Bryson whether ICANN has complied with its commitments and what the department would do if ICANN violated any of the commitments. 

They asked whether the department has evaluated the costs and benefits of ICANN’s plan as well as what the department has done to protect consumers and businesses that may be affected.