The Internet Commerce Association is aware of the extreme concern of ICA members regarding the action of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear ordering the seizure of 141 gaming related domain names. It appears that there may be no statutory basis for this unprecedented action, that Kentucky may lack sufficient jurisdictional grounds and that it also may violate the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution.

The ICA intends to immediately investigate this matter, including outreach to affected ICA members as well as to those registrars subject to the Kentucky order. Once we have gathered additional information, the Board will consider further appropriate action to confront this dangerous precedent.

ICA initially stated incorrectly that this seizure order was initiated by the Kentucky Attorney General. I received this statement from the Kentucky Attorney General’s office. “The initiative was taken by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. The Attorney General’s Office has no involvement in the seizure of the gaming domain names.”

This statement from Jeremiah Johnston, President of the Internet Commerce Association, was sourced from www.internetcommerce.org/ICA_resonds_to_Kentucky_seizure_order.