| To assure the
beneficial, open evolution of the global Internet and its related internetworking
technologies through leadership in standards, issues, and education. -
Internet Society Mission Statement. |
The Internet Society (ISOC)
is the international, umbrella Internet organization, founded in 1992. It
is a non-governmental organization, made up of more than 100 organizations and
thousands of individuals, with an international mission to foster global cooperation
and coordination on Internet technologies, and serve
as a global clearinghouse for Internet related information.
The ISOC was also
created in part to provide a legal umbrella
for the IAB and the IETF,
which had been operating almost entirely as self-perpetuating bodies with no
legal standing, in order to provide liability insurance to protect members
from suits by vendors.
The ISOC oversees the
other Internet management organizations described in the following pages, and in some cases provides financial and other support. It
also holds an annual International Networking (INET)
conference, and coordinates Internet related public policy and trade activities,
regional and local chapters, standardization activities, and an international
secretariat.
One of the most important
legal activities of the ISOC is a defense of the free use of the word "Internet",
ensuring that it remains a generic term that is not trademarked or owned by any
Individual or corporation.
The ISOC has an international network of chapters in various countries, and
is open to membership from any interested individual. Members receive a bimonthly
magazine called "OnTheInternet", a monthly newsletter called "ISOC Forum", and
discounts on various products and services.
The ISOC supports a number
of education programs, for example ThinkQuest,
an international contest that provides scholarships for high school students
who develop educational tools for the Web, run in conjunction
with other organizations. It was awarded the rights to management of the .org domain
in October, 2002.
