June 11, 1999


                        Ralph Nader
                        P.O. Box 19312
                        Washington, DC 20036

                        James Love
                        Consumer Project on Technology
                        P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
                        love@cptech.org
                        http://www.cptech.org


Esther  Dyson

Chairman
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers


Dear Ms Dyson,

Could you tell us the scope of internet governance issues that
the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
aspires to address?  For example, does ICANN seek to make any
decisions regarding allocation of trademark rights to those who
seek domain names?  And will ICANN use its control over root name
servers to block access to any IP address or domain name for any
reason?  If so, could you give us an idea of what those reasons
might be, and how those decisions will be made, and what legal
recourse persons would have regarding ICANN decisions?

Also, does ICANN seek the authority to levy fees on the use of
domain names?  If so, what are the legally binding limits on the
use of funds from those fees by ICANN?  Under any circumstances
will the ICANN be permitted to use these funds to promote public
policy objectives on broader internet governance issues?

Finally, is ICANN's interim board making substantive policy
decisions, before a membership is in place?  If so, can you
explain how this start-up procedure is justified given the terms
of your agreement with the United States government?

You are known for being meticulous.  We await your specific
replies to these questions.

Thank you.


Sincerely



Ralph Nader             James Love



--
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
I can be reached at love@cptech.org, by telephone 202.387.8030,
by fax at 202.234.5176. CPT web page is http://www.cptech.org