Join Us

 

Why should my organisation join the Business Constituency?

  • What is the Business Constituency?
    The Business Constituency (BC) is the voice of commercial Internet users within ICANN - the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. ICANN is a global body with responsibility for certain policies that make the Internet work. See the ICANN Structure page for more information.

  • Do you believe the private sector should continue to run the Internet? 
    There is a real possibility that certain functions now performed by ICANN could be taken over by a United Nations organisation, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU); this could lead to a dramatic slowing down in decision making.
  • Are you involved in e-commerce?
    This is what all BC users are interested in. Making ICANN efficient, makes e-commerce efficient.
      
  • Do you use a web site for your business?
    It is ICANN that selects the names such as .info, .biz, .eu, .jobs and .travel. What names will be next? The BC will be part of the decision process.
      
  • Might domain name piracy affect you?
    ICANN developed the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy - the way a legitimate business can get back a name taken by a cyber-squatter. ICANN also agrees to rules for sunrise periods - a short period when a trade mark owner can apply for a new domain name in advance of the public.
      
  • Do you ever need to find out who owns a domain name?
    The BC is leading ways to make the WHOIS database more accurate, accessible and accountable.
      
  • Have you had problems transferring a domain name?
    The BC recently led discussions to introduce a streamlined procedure for users to transfer their business from one Registrar to another.  

If you answer yes to any of the above - that is reason enough to join the Business Constituency. 

Membership is the way your objectives become a part of our policy.

 

"We now view our BC membership as a strategic part of our business... We urge other companies and associations to join the Business Constituency and participate in the policy making process. We can't take the Internet for granted." RNA Partners, US

"WITSA was a driving force behind the establishment of ICANN. The BC is our industry's main voice in ICANN".  WITSA, USA

"Interaction with the Internet business community." TAGI, Jordan

"ICANN policies keep the Internet a safe haven where consumers can continue to trust brands. The BC is our input to those policies." AIM, EU 

"The continued stability of the Internet is of critical importance to all of our members." USCIB, USA

 

A strong business presence in ICANN is increasingly important. The voice of business - as a user of internet services - needs to be heard.

Let us hear your input on these issues:

  • bad faith use of domain names
  • cybersquatting, phishing and other user fraud
  • the mission and strategic plan of ICANN
  • the transfer and deletion of domain names
  • the ability of businesses to use WHOIS data
  • a revision to the UDRP - the way a business can get back a domain name being used in bad faith
  • new domain names.

Membership Fees

The link below will open an application form for the Business Constituency. Please complete it, save it to your hard disk and send it to the BC Secretariat as a Word attachment by e-mail. Or contact the secretariat  and he will send a form to you. 


click here for the application form


click here for the membership pack

or request the membership pack by e-mail here
 

     Fees 2009
Category 1 Companies (which are not micro enterprises);
Associations spanning more than one ICANN region		 Euro 1000
Category 2 Associations spanning one ICANN region Euro 670
Category 3 Micro enterprises defined as companies which can demonstrate both less than 10 employees and a turnover of less than Euro 0.5 million Euro 160

Group membership
The subsidiaries or national affiliates of organisations who are paid-up members in categories 1 or 2 may join as associate members. Associate members may not vote but receive full scale information services. Euro 160*
*There are special rates for associate members in the countries recognised by the United Nations as least developed countries. Contact the secretariat for details.