Here is quotation from IAHC press release (http://www.iahc.org/press-MoU.html): INTERNET NAMING PLAN SIGNED: ADDITIONAL ENDORSEMENTS SCHEDULED FOR GENEVA MEETING AT THE END OF APRIL WASHINGTON, DC, April 8, 1997 -- Internet governance has taken a major step forward, with the authorizing signatures applied to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which enhances administration and management of the Internet's domain name system. The document is part of a plan developed by the International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC), a group of Internet experts formed to consider issues brought on by the rapid growth of the Internet, that calls for the creation of additional top level names and the formation of a structure to allow competing companies to register Internet names. Initial signers of the documents establishing the new system are the Internet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the Internet Society (ISOC), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Trademark Association (INTA). They will be joined by representatives from industry, government, and other organizations who have indicated their intent to sign and participate. Three major corporations, Digital Equipment Corporation, MCI, and UUNET are among the early endorsers of the plan. According to Heidi Heiden, a senior executive with UUNET, "We are endorsing the IAHC plan because it successfully addresses key issues and concerns and was created by responsible parties with strong credentials. It is of utmost importance to us to see the Internet evolve as a stable and secure network that continues to expand without being fragmented." [snip]