Legal Definitions - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a global non-profit organization founded in 1998. Its primary role is to coordinate the unique identifiers that make the internet function smoothly. This includes managing the system of domain names (like .com, .org, .net) and overseeing the allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which are the numerical labels assigned to every device connected to the internet. Essentially, ICANN helps ensure that when you type a website address or send an email, the internet knows where to send it, preventing conflicts and maintaining global connectivity.

Here are some examples illustrating ICANN's role:

• Introducing a New Domain Suffix: Imagine a new industry group wants to create a unique domain suffix, such as .health or .food, for businesses within their sector. ICANN is the body that approves and oversees the introduction of these new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). They establish the rules, manage the application process, and ensure that these new domains integrate properly into the global internet naming system without causing conflicts.

  This demonstrates ICANN's function in managing the "system of Internet domain names" by expanding and regulating the available suffixes, ensuring order and preventing chaos as the internet grows.

• Resolving a Domain Name Conflict: A well-known clothing brand discovers that someone has registered a domain name very similar to their trademark, like "brandname-official.com," and is using it to sell counterfeit goods. While ICANN doesn't directly resolve individual disputes, it establishes the policies and frameworks, such as the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP), that registrars and dispute resolution providers use to handle such cases. ICANN ensures there's a standardized process for addressing "cybersquatting" or trademark infringement in domain names.

  This illustrates ICANN's role in managing the "system of Internet domain names" by setting the rules and policies that govern how domain names are registered and how disputes related to them are handled, ensuring fairness and order.

• Global IP Address Distribution: A rapidly growing country in Asia needs a large block of new IP addresses to support its expanding internet infrastructure and the increasing number of connected devices for its citizens and businesses. ICANN oversees the global allocation of IP address space. It distributes large blocks of these unique numerical identifiers to regional internet registries (RIRs) around the world. These RIRs then further distribute smaller blocks to internet service providers (ISPs) and other organizations within their respective regions.

  This demonstrates ICANN's function in "allocating Internet-protocol (IP) address space," ensuring that there are enough unique addresses for all devices globally and that their distribution is managed systematically to prevent conflicts and maintain internet connectivity.