Kiwi lands mediator role with global internet body

A Wellington barrister has been appointed the new ombudsman for Icann, one of the key organisations that runs the internet.

In his new role Chris LaHatte will mediate in any disputes that arise between the US-based Icannand its stakeholders, which include InternetNZ and equivalent local organisations in almost every country (which is no exaggeration. Mr LaHatte is shortly off to Senegal).

Icann - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers – is a non-profit organisation set up by the US Department of Commerce in 1998 to manager internet addresses, a task formerly carried out by the US government. It became fully independent in 2006.

Mr LaHatte will shortly spend a week in LA being inducted into the ways of Icann, but will continue to base himself in Wellington. Some disputes will be resolved online, others by “shuttle diplomacy.”

[Read the full article from NBR.co.nz HERE]