Commerce Renews Contract with ICANN for Net Supervision

The Department of Commerce has renewed its agreement with ICANN to oversee the web address system for five years.  ICANN has been criticized in the past for being susceptible to U.S. pressure in its decisions.  The failed creation of a porn-only .xxx is one example where U.S. influence has affected ICANN's process.

The agreement calls for yearly renewals, so it is possible that the contract could end before 2011.

The BBC has the story, along with ITWire, and the New York Times.