In a fast turn around from the iron fist of georges bushes term ICANN have been it seems freed from the tight leash the US had on it after european countries applied some pressure to ensure ICANN was best left to operate for the good of all nations instead of being forced to follow US policy exclusively.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/25/us_icann_autonomy_report/The US government has reportedly agreed to cede control over ICANN once its current pact with the internet oversight body expires next week.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is a California-based non-profit that oversees the internet's address system. It currently operates under the auspices of the Joint Project Agreement with the US government, due to end September 30, 2009.
The Economist reports a new "affirmations of commitments" has been struck in place of the JPA that gives ICANN autonomy to manage its own affairs. The agreement allegedly extends indefinitely and is set to go into effect the day before the JPA expires.
With the threats made by the european countries some years ago to set up their own version of ICANN and route all traffic though european data centres instead of the US this does seem a sensible compromise and will allow the status quo to be maintained for the forseeable future, that is if the deal goes ahead as planned...
