For Internet Commerce Association — Big Changes

ICA to be replaced with fresh organization.

This past weekend I caught word that Internet Commerce Association, the non-profit representing domainers’ interests, was effectively shutting down the overarching organization.

I caught up with board member Jeremiah Johnston Saturday afternoon, and he explained what was happening. ICA members ought to receive an email from him later today.

Essentially, the organization has experienced another funding shortfall, in particular from individual domainers. One of the biggest costs of the organization is managing its grassroots members and promoting itself to the domain community. ICA will effectively close down, and a few of the larger supporters of ICA will form a fresh organization under a different model.

It’s unfortunate that ICA is shutting down, but I’m thankful that the core group will be advocating for domainers. Part of the problem was apathy amongst domainers; another was wrongly placed distrust within the community. Without ICA, I truly think the domain industry would be looking at a different landscape right now. And it would be for the worse.

If you are interesting in learning more or being part of the fresh organization, please contact Jeremiah Johnston at jeremiah (at) internetcommerce.org.