Control over the Internet is in Play; Key Organizations Meet to Debate the Future of Internet Operations.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 1997--Major Internet companies are meeting in Washington, D.C. on July 9, to resolve the debate over who should be in charge of the Internet.

Attendees will be developing fair and democratic operating procedures for the Internet that will allow all Internet stakeholders to be represented. Additionally, plans for the first Internet Constitutional Convention will be discussed, with the goal of establishing a publicly accountable management framework.

The meeting was called by the Open Internet Congress, a volunteer group leading the fight against the International Ad Hoc Committee's attempt to take control of the Internet. IAHC has unilaterally claimed authority over the Internet, assumed control over the essential Internet servers, and has begun issuing command-and-control orders to Internet operators.

Mainstream Internet users and businesses are opposing the IAHC and are demanding a voice in the operations of the Internet. The U.S. Government and the European Community have also voiced their concerns about the IAHC plan.

"The only way to protect interests online is to speak out and get involved," said Andy Sernovitz, president of the Association for Interactive Media. "Groups like IAHC will continue to take unauthorized authotiry unless we get together and put a stop to it." This meeting draws a line in the sand. All individuals and corporate entities involved in the Internet should attend this meeting."

The meeting is open to the public and press, and anyone who considers the Internet vital to their business is encouraged to attend.

Meeting Details: July 9, 1997 from 9 am to 3 pm Capitol Hill Hyatt Regency, Washington, DC, 202-737-1234 RSVP requested For more information, visit www.interactivehq.org/oic, call 202-408-0008, or email [e-mail]

CONTACT: Andy Sernovitz, 202/408-0008

[e-mail]

www.interactivehq.org/oic