ICANN’s divorce from the US cost $32 million
The IANA transition cost ICANN a total of $32 million, according to documentation released today.
The hefty bill was racked up from the announcment of the transition in March 2014 until the end of 2016, according to this presentation (pdf).
A whopping $15 million of the total went on lawyers.
Another $8.3 million went on other third-party services, including lobbying, PR and translation.
More than half of the overall expenses — $17.8 million — was incurred in ICANN’s fiscal 2016, which ended last June.
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And only 7% on Community participation, the piece people love to complain about the most. Or maybe to complain about second most after lawyers – the main beneficiary in most divorce cases.
I have come to realize that for ICANN, coordinating the DNS is a front. In reality, it is a charity supporting lawyers and the world’s restraunteurs.
I will bet the farm that the number was much closer to 50+ million.
Looks like some of the expenses got “re-allocated” in the financials. We need more clarification here …