Internet Governance

"Internet governance" is known as the development and application of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet. Often in information and communications technology (ICT) policymaking, technical procedures and resources are utilized to resolve contentious public policy issues without the need for enacting legislation or ratifying international treaties to resolve emerging technology issues.

Among the more contentious Internet governance issues are intellectual property protections and the appropriate roles for governments and the private sector in development of rules and protocols for governing the domain name system. Attorneys at Imagine Law have been at the forefront of the Internet governance policy discussions for nearly two decades and we provide strategic advice to clients on a wide range of emerging issues that impact the evolution of the governance of the Internet's critical technical infrastructure.

The global coordination of DNS root, IP addressing, and other Internet protocol resources, known as the Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA), transitioned from the US Commerce Department to an independent ICANN in 2017, and attorneys at Imagine Law participated in policy development working groups steering the IANA transition to independence.

Imagine Law attorneys assisted in the creation of organizational accountability mechanisms including ICANN's Independent Review Panel (IRP) process to challenge decisions made by ICANN's board or staff. Imagine Law attorneys have experience representing clients exercising their rights under those organizational accountability mechanisms, including pursuant to ICANN's Request for Reconsideration process and its Ombudsman's Office.

Imagine Law attorneys have regularly participated at the annual UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), including Robin Gross' appointment by UN Secretary General Koffi Annan to the inaugural IGF Advisory Group, which organizes the annual Internet governance conference each year, where governments, business, and civil society address the latest Internet policy challenges. Imagine Law attorneys also have experience advocating on issues related to webcasting and other online intellectual property rights as part of international treaty negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Imagine Law provides experienced and comprehensive Internet governance policy consulting services to technology companies and others concerned with the health and growth of the Internet's technical critical infrastructure.