ICANN Bylaws

The ICANN Bylaws are the internal rules set forth for ICANN by the ICANN Board.

The Bylaws in full can be found here. A summary of each section is as follows:

Article 1. Mission and Core Values

• 1.1 Mission

To coordinate the global Internet's system of identifiers (domain names/DNS, IP Addresses, AS numbers, and protocol port and parameter numbers), and ensure that the system is stable and secure.

• 1.2 Core Values

Article 2. Powers

• 2.1 General Powers

The Board shall either exercise or observe the exercising of ICANN's powers. It acts with a majority vote.

• 2.2 Restrictions

ICANN is not a domain name registry, registrar, or IP address registry.

• 2.3 Non-Discriminatory Treatment

ICANN shall not discriminate against any party.

Article 3. Transparency

• 3.1 Purpose

ICANN and its constituent bodies shall act in an open, transparent, and fair manner.

• 3.2 Website

ICANN shall maintain a publicly accessible website

• 3.3 Manager of Public Information

There shall be a staff position titled Manager of Public Information, whose duty it is to coordinate the various aspects of public participation, under direction of the President.

• 3.4 Meeting Notices and Agendas

At least seven days prior to a Board Meeting, notice of the meeting and its agenda must be posted.

• 3.5 Minutes and Preliminary Reports

All minutes of Board and Supporting Organizations meetings shall be compiled promptly, approved by the originating body, and forwarded to the ICANN Secretary for posting on the website.

In no later than two business days, any resolutions passed by the Board shall be made publicly available on the website, except in special circumstances.

In no later than seven business days, any actions taken by the Board as result of a meeting shall be made publicly available on the website, except in special circumstances.

In no later than one day after they are approved, meeting minutes shall be made publicly available on the website, except in special circumstances.

• 3.6 Notice and Comment on Policy Actions

ICANN must provide public notice on the website of policies and policy changes being considered and the reasoning behind them, at least twenty-one days prior to any action being taken. Resonable opportunities for public comment must be made prior to Board action. In the cases where policy action affect public policy concerns, the opinion of the GAC must be requested and heeded.

When practical, an in-person public forum must be held for the discussion of proposed policy in accordance with ICANN Bylaws#6.1 Section 6(1)(b) of these Bylaws.

After taking action, the Board must make public the meeting minutes, including the vote of each Director and any public statement they wish to include.

• 3.7 Translation of Documents

ICANN shall facilitate the translation of final public documents into the appropriate languages, as appropriate and to the extend possible given the organization's budget.

Article 4. Accountability and Review

• 4.1 Purpose

This article sets forth the processes for reconsideration and independent review of ICANN's actions and the periodic review of ICANN's structure and procedures, in a way that reinforces ICANN's core values as stated in Article 1, and transparency as stated in Article 3 of these Bylaws.

• 4.2 Reconsideration