Internet Developments: Phone Call Management, Domain Name Registry, and E-commerce Taxation

Regulators, industry experts, and lawmakers continue to shape the internet landscape, focusing on issues such as phone call management, domain name registry, and e-commerce taxation. Recent developments demonstrate the complex interplay between government agencies, private companies, and individual users.

Key Takeaways:

Prodigy Communications Corp. and GTE Internetworking introduced Internet Call Manager, a pop-up screen feature that notifies users of incoming calls and provides caller identification, reducing the likelihood of missed phone calls in households with a single telephone line and a computer online.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) faced criticism from Congress regarding its imposition of a $1 fee for each new domain name registered and alleged secrecy in setting policy for internet usage. ICANN agreed to suspend the fee but emphasized the need for a stable source of income.
ICANN Chairwoman Esther Dyson defended the agency, stating that it was not given funding by the U.S. government and required stable revenue to function effectively. This exchange highlights the tension between ICANN's desire for stability and the concerns of domain registrars such as Network Solutions Inc. (NSI).
NSI took aim at cybersquatting, a practice where individuals reserve domain names with the intent of reselling them, by announcing plans to require applicants to pay for names in advance starting in September.
California Representative Gary Miller emphasized the importance of legislation allowing internet service providers (ISPs) to sue spammers by sending 200,000 spam messages to the Federal Trade Commission, potentially violating the bill's provisions.
The Computer Systems Policy Project urged the Internet Tax Commission to work towards equality in taxing e-commerce, recommending that the government explore new technologies for collecting and administering taxes and should work internationally.
Major IT companies, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Apple, pleaded for easier trade access in products such as semiconductors, satellite parts, and equipment during a World Trade Organization seminar, but faced opposition from developing countries.
A bill approving the use of electronic signatures in online business transactions has passed the House's Finance and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee.
A bill protecting public access to databases containing market information from pirates and hackers was also approved.
The House Armed Services Committee passed a bill amending the encryption products export control, giving the president more authority to control exports when national security is involved.

Statistics:

The Internet Tax Commission recommends exploring new technologies for collecting and administering taxes.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) had to suspend a $1 fee for each new domain name registered to address criticism.
The Computer Systems Policy Project has not specified an exact time frame for implementing equal taxation for e-commerce.
Network Solutions Inc. (NSI) has not signed an agreement with ICANN.
California Representative Gary Miller sent 200,000 spam messages to the Federal Trade Commission to emphasize the importance of legislation against spam.
The bill allowing ISPs to sue spammers could impose penalties of up to $25,000 per day.
The Iowa Electronic Market, a platform for the New York senatorial race, allows users to buy shares in their preferred candidate for $1 per share.

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