"root zone content is tied up in all kinds of red tape.  the root server operators won't modify it in any way; we publish only what we get from iana. iana and verisign and the united states department of commerce all have to agree on changes to it.  imagine a "mexican standoff" with three people and six guns.  with the ietf/iab as referee and scorekeeper, and the rootops as an interested audience.  ("entertain me!")"

[via NANOG]