Warren Leads Democrats Asking ICANN to Block ISOC's PIR Sale to Ethos Capital
Six Democratic lawmakers asked ICANN to block the Internet Society's sale of the .org registrar to a private equity firm (see 2001150013). Information from parties to the deal "raise significant questions about the new arrangement, and fail to provide assurances…
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that" buyer "Ethos Capital will be a responsible steward of the .ORG registry, or that the registry will be operated under meaningful oversight," the lawmakers wrote Thursday. A contract gives the Public Interest Registry that ISOC is selling "nearly free rein to regulate the content of websites in the name of implementing 'protections of the legal rights of third parties," wrote Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, the latter also a 2020 candidate for president, and the others. "Ethos Capital has stated that the new parent entity of PIR would act in the public benefit, but it has not proposed a structure of governance and accountability that would bind this commitment in a meaningful way." Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Reps. Anna Eshoo of California and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin also signed the letter. ICANN didn't comment. The three parties to the deal disagree with views in the letter, believing it doesn't "acknowledge the strong merits of this transaction -- namely the immense opportunity it will create for both PIR and the Internet Society to advance their important work for the public benefit and the Internet at large." The deal "serves the public interest," contend Ethos, ISOC and PIR, emailed a spokesperson on their behalf. It would let PIR "expand its work and the services it provides to the nonprofit community and other .ORG users" and give ISOC "essential support" via "a substantial endowment that will ensure its ability to continue its efforts to build a more accessible, inclusive and secure Internet around the world," the representative said. "PIR and Ethos will provide the resources to grow .ORG and develop innovative products and services that will strengthen the ability of mission-driven organizations and others."