The United States has relinquished its status as Internet supervisor.

After the Department of Defense developed the technology that runs the World Wide Web 40 years ago, the country has maintained a sort of advisory role over its continuity.

That changed significantly 11 years ago when it loosened its grip by establishing the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. However, ICANN was still subject to periodic U.S. review.

That changed Wednesday.

The two entities have signed a new agreement that eliminates the U.S. reviews. ICANN now will be reviewed by a broader-based group of stakeholders from around the world. "One thing this is not is Independence Day," [ICANN Vice President Paul] Levins said. "We were independent the day we were established. This is not somehow slipping nooses of accountability or cutting ourselves loose from the U.S."

Click over to the Times Technology Blog for Dan Fost's breakdown of the online breakup.

-- Mark Milian

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Photo: ICANN Vice President Paul Levins in 2005. Credit: Randi Lynn Beach / Los Angeles Times