International Ad Hoc Committee

The International Ad Hoc Committee was a group formed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority to study and reform the administration and operation of the generic top-level domain name system. The group issued its “Final Report” in February 1997. In April 1997, the IAHC issued a “Memorandum of Understanding on the Generic Top Level Domain (“gTLD”) Name Space of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority,” which set forth a framework for the structure, policies and procedures to govern the administration of seven new gTLDs. By November 1997, 179 entities had signed the Memorandum of Understanding. However, when the Clinton Administration announced its proposal to reform the domain name system in January 1998, the work of the IAHC was suspended.