ICANN states it “does not have authority” over .org transaction

Domain regulator is unlikely to do anything regarding the sale of .org by a non-profit to a private equity firm.

Anyone holding out hope that ICANN will block the sale of .Org to private equity firm Ethos ought to prepare to be disappointed.

The firm issued a statement to Financial Times saying that it “does not have authority over the proposed buyout”:

Pressure is now mounting for ICANN to block the transaction. Since it involves a top-level internet domain, the transfer of .org to a fresh owner requires the agency’s formal approval.

In a statement to the FT, still, ICANN appeared to brush aside the calls for action, saying that it “does not have authority over the proposed buyout”. Instead, it stated its job was simply to “assure the continued operation of the .org domain” — implying that it could only stop the sale if the stability and security of the domain name infrastructure were at risk.

Whether the deal will be delayed by ICANN’s accountability mechanisms or other action remains to be seen. But I wouldn’t put money on it.