ICANN has signed an Accountability Framework for the country code .GT Guatemala

[edit] ICANN has signed an Accountability Framework for the ccTLD .GT Guatemala

I just noticed that ICANN has signed an Accountability Framework for the country code top level domain (ccTLD) manager for .GT Guatemala, with the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. I found a copy of the signed accountability framework at www.icann.org/cctlds/agreements.html. It’s interesting that an “informal” agreement has been in place with the University since 1992, so why sign up now?

Must be some money somewhere I suspect.

The Accountability Framework program provides a mechanism by which ccTLD managers can formalize their relationship with ICANN, as well as fund them a negotiated amount of money every year. The Accountability Framework document sets out the obligations of a ccTLD manager and the obligations of ICANN. It also covers dispute resolution and what happens during termination and more importantly the transfer of responsibility after such a termination event.

Oh how we all need recognition. The published agreement states that ICANN recognizes the University as the manager and sponsoring organization of the .GT ccTLD and is also the entity responsible for maintaining the .GT ccTLD as a stable(Guatemala?) and interoperable part of the global domain system, as well as consistent with Guatemalan law (www.loc.gov/law/guide/guatemala.html). Huh … anyone that’s ever been to Guatemala has to just wonder what that means.

Guatemala’s law provides insufficient protection for owners of well-known trademarks, since the right to exclusive use is granted to the first to file. This has permitted third parties to register and use (or prevent the genuine trademark holder from using) internationally-well-known trademarks. Sales of falsified name-brand clothing and other merchandise are common in Guatemala. Imagine what could happen in the Domain Name Space.

I suspect the most important part of the agreement is that, it mandates that the University acknowledges that ICANN is the entity responsible for maintaining and keeping the root of the internet DNS stable. Didn’t know that an organization like ICANN needed recognition from anyone since it’s got the out of control US government behind it.

But anyway, it’s good to see our friends in Central America finally carrying some weight around these parts.