InternetofthingsNeedforanewlegalenvironment.docVIP

Internet of things Need for a new legal environment? Rolf H. Webera, b aUniversity of Zurich, Switzerland bUniversity of Hong Kong, China Available online 18 November 2009. Abstract The Internet of Things as an emerging global, Internet-based information service architecture facilitating the exchange of goods in global supply chain networks is developing on the technical basis of the present Domain Name System; drivers are private actors. Learning from the experiences with the “traditional” Internet governance it is important to tackle the relevant issues of a regulatory framework from the beginning; in particular, the implementation of an independently managed decentralized multiple-root system and the establishment of basic governance principles (such as transparency and accountability, legitimacy of institutional bodies, inclusion of civil society) are to be envisaged. Keywords: Internet of Things (IoT); ONS and DNS; European Regulatory IoT-Initiatives; Root System; Self-Regulation; Governance Principles for the IoT Article Outline 1. Notion and concept of the internet of things 1.1. Notion of IoT 1.2. Technical background of IoT 1.3. ONS and DNS heritage 2. EU-activities 2.1. Staff paper and replies 2.2. EU communication of June 2009 3. Regulatory challenges of the IoT – lessons from the internet 3.1. Structural aspects (root system) 3.2. Institutional issues 3.3. Governance principles Vitae 1. Notion and concept of the internet of things In the ongoing process of Internet growth a new development is on its way, namely the evolution from a network of interconnected computers to a network of interconnected objects (Internet of Things, IoT)1. 1.1. Notion of IoT The term IoT, first used by Kevin Ashton in a presentation in 19982, describes an emerging global, Internet-based information service architecture. Technically, the architecture is based on data communication tools, primarily RFID-tagged items (Radio Frequency Identification).3 The purpose of