Conflicts arose as the Internet expanded from a small, academic-run institution to a consumer and commercial system. The “old guard” engineers and scientists increasingly began to chafe against the increasing involvement of the commercial sector and often fought to maintain their self-appointed leadership position. The Association for Interactive Media (AIM), representing consumers and businesses, has pushed to open up management of the Internet beyond the old guard to create a system truly representative of the new Internet community.

Nowhere has this battle been more vivid than during the 1997-1998 debate over control of the domain name system. Here’s a short history.

• May, 1997: The International Ad-Hoc Committee, a self-appointed group of Internet engineers, attempt to consolidate control over the Internet. They use the domain name issue as cover, distracting public attention from their power grab.
• June, 1997: AIM blows the whistle on the IAHC operation. AIM forms the Open Internet Congress (OIC) to demand public accountability and democratic representation in Internet governance. Our goal — expose the power grab to protect the Internet community from a well-hidden coup.
• July-September, 1997. AIM and the OIC continue to draw public attention to the dangers of the IAHC takeover. More important, intense lobbying and high-level political briefings make senior U.S. policymakers aware of the danger. Significant time was spent working with members of Congress and the Department of Commerce.
• September 30, 1997. AIM President Andy Sernovitz testifies before the House Science Committee and exposed the IAHC plan in scathing testimony. Press and various Congressmen support AIM’s position.
• October - December, 1997. AIM steps up lobbying efforts to the White House and the national security community. Briefed the Presidential Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection, the senior group tasked with stopping cyber-terrorism. AIM President Andy Sernovitz meets with Senior Advisor to the President Ira Magaziner.
• October 27, 1998.
  AIM releases report on continued deceptions by the IAHC and the Internet Society.
• January 30, 1998. Magaziner issues the Green Paper outlining the draft position of the U.S. government. The paper supports all of AIM’s principals and clearly rejects the leadership of the IAHC. AIM supports the Green Paper as a victory for the Internet industry and AIM. AIM works to build support for the paper.
• June 5, 1998. The White House issues the final policy on “Management of Internet Names and Addresses.” The policy supports 100% of AIM’s positions. The crisis is over, AIM wins another battle!