Tech groups file court brief opposing internet transition suit

Fourteen organizations filed a court brief voicing opposition to a lawsuit intended to block the transition of internet domain oversight from the US to an international governing body. The Internet Association — an advocacy group backed by Google and Facebook — and Mozilla were among the groups that filed the brief.

They are opposing a lawsuit from four Republican state attorneys general who want to keep the U.S. from turning over functions of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to a group representing 162 countries. “The case before the Court is without merit and we request that the Court deny any motions seeking a delay of the IANA transition,” said Michael Beckerman, president and CEO of the Internet Association. “We are confident the transition will keep the internet safe, secure, reliable, and resilient.” A source familiar with the matter expects a decision before midnight Sept 30. Unless US District Judge George Hanks Jr. rules to grant a restraining order before then, the transition is set to start Oct 1.