Patrick Leahy: “today at the World Summit on the Information Society, an agreement was announced to maintain the current structure for…”

“today at the World Summit on the Information Society, an agreement was announced to maintain the current structure for managing the Internet. This agreement marks a critical step toward ensuring the stability and security of the Internet and preserving its benefits not only for the United States, but for countries across the globe. In late October I joined with the other cochairs of the Internet Caucus in a letter to the White House urging the administration to stand firm in its position to protect the Internet and resist efforts to undo the structure that has worked so well so far. I also joined Senator Burns in offering a resolution to maintain the currently effective status quo on Internet governance. The agreement that now has been reached in Tunis to maintain the current structure for managing domain names and the Internet is consistent with our efforts. The value of the Internet is incalculable. The Internet has brought an unprecedented level of commercial exchanges in both the consumer and business-to-business realms. It has spawned and prompted the development of new ideas, businesses and relationships. It has empowered people who have never had access to power and otherwise would likely never have an opportunity to be heard, much less challenge or influence public policy and institutional power.…”