ICA

News release from MarketWatch:
FRANKFORT, Ky. & WASHINGTON, Oct 03, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Internet Commerce Association, a non-profit trade organization representing domain name investors and developers and the direct search industry, today announced it will be participating in an emergency Summit on the State of Kentucky’s unprecedented, wrongful seizure of 141 Internet gambling Websites. Hosted by the Blue Grass Institute, the panel discussion will include representatives from the Poker Players Alliance, Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, and the Americans for Tax Reform organization. The Summit will be held on October 6, 2008.
Who: Michael Collins, executive director, Internet Commerce Association
What: The Summit will focus on reasons why the State of Kentucky’s seizure of 141 Internet gambling was wrong, as it violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. Moreover, the state’s action lacks sufficient jurisdictional grounds. While Kentucky certainly has the right to regulate businesses that operate in the state and enforce the law within Kentucky, none of the domain names in the seizure order were registered or operated in Kentucky. The hearing for 141 domain names that Kentucky Governor Beshear ordered seized is scheduled for October 7.
When: The Summit will take place on Monday, October 6th at 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Capital Plaza Hotel-Frankfort, 405 Wilkinson Blvd., Frankfort, KY
How: For more information, please visit: http://www.internetcommerce.org/Kentucky_Seizure_Case_Delayed
ABOUT INTERNET COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
Founded in 2006, Internet Commerce Association (ICA) is a non-profit trade organization representing domain name investors and developers and the direct search industry. ICA is made up of responsible businesses and individuals who have joined together to improve public confidence in internet commerce. Based in Washington D.C., the organization’s mission is to promote and share best practices among participants in the domain name industry and to educate consumers, policy makers, law makers and the media about the value and benefits of direct navigation traffic and the domain name industry. For more information, please visit http://www.internetcommerce.org/.
SOURCE: Internet Commerce Association

In a great step to bring added transparency to the organization, the Internet Commerce Association published their by-laws on their website today. Many people in the domain investment industry have expressed a desire to see the by-laws prior to joining, and this should help to alleviate some concerns. Knowing Michael Collins (ICA Executive Director), if you have any questions about the by-laws, send him an email and he will be happy to respond.
The by-laws can be seen on the ICA website.

In an effort to promote transparency, the Internet Commerce Association has revealed its membership directory. The membership is beginning to take shape as a “Who’s Who” in the domain investment and developer community. As the Internet Commerce Association is able to continue to spread their message, I think the membership will continue to expand. I still believe the ICA is the only trade group that is looking after the rights of domain registrants.