2.3 Web standards The main web standard is HTML (HyperText Markup Language). It facilitates sharing of information, display of content, and web interaction. HTML has been regularly upgraded with new features, and the current version is HTML 5.0. While basic HTML only handled text and images, HTML 5.0 provides more features for managing databases and advanced display of video and animation. With the growth of the wide variety of web applications, web standards ensure that Internet content can be accessed and properly viewed by the majority of Internet applications. Another important web standard is XML (extended Markup Language). Status of governance mechanisms for web standards Web standards are set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), headed by the inventor of HTML, Tim Berners-Lee. They are developed through the elaborate process which aims to reach consensus, and they are published in the format of W3C Recommendations. W3C standards have high economic relevance, which triggered the active participation of Internet industry and software developers in the development of the W3C standards. They can have direct impact on many policy areas on the Internet, including multilingual content on the Internet, access for people with disabilities, and e-commerce. Possible gaps in dealing with web standards As with the Internet technical standards, the possible gap in the development of web standards is related to the coverage of non-technical aspects (e.g. human rights, competition policy, and security). Web standards have an even stronger impact on non-technical aspects since, more so than technical standards, they shape the way the Internet is accessed and used. 2.4 Internet protocol numbers IP numbers are unique numeric addresses that are used by all computers and other devices connected to the Internet. Two computers connected to the Internet cannot have the same IP number. This makes IP numbers a potentially scarce resource. The depletion of IP numbers (under IP version 4) accelerated with the fast growth of Internet-enabled devices (such as mobile phones, personal organisers, home appliances). IP version 6 (IPv6) was introduced in order to overcome the limited pool of IP numbers. The transition to IPv6 has been progressing slower than necessary to effectively address the shortage of IP numbers within the IPv4 arrangement. 9