Editing WHOIS

== Definitions ==

'''WHOIS''' is a [[database]] that 

{{Quote|contains the names and contact information &mdash; postal address, [[telephone number]], [[electronic mail address]] and in some cases facsimile number &mdash; for customers who [[domain name registration|register]] [[domain name]]s through the [[domain name registrar|registrar]].<ref>[[Register.com v. Verio|Register.com, Inc. v. Verio, Inc.]], 126 F.Supp.2d 238, 241-42 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) ([http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10290340198437143395&q=126+F.Supp.2d+238&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5 full-text]).</ref>}}

'''WHOIS''' is

{{Quote|a [[Transmission Control Protocol]] ([[TCP]])-based transaction-oriented [[query/response protocol]] that is widely used to provide [[information services]] to [[Internet user]]s. While originally used to provide "white pages" services and [[information]] about registered [[domain name]]s, current [[deployment]]s cover a much broader range of [[information services]]. The [[protocol]] delivers its content in a [[human-readable]] [[format]].<ref>[[Privacy Impact Assessment for the National Cyber Security Division Joint Cybersecurity Services Pilot]], at 2 n.6.</ref>}}

== History ==

The WHOIS service and protocol were originally developed and deployed in 1982 as a
[[transaction]]-based service to provide a registry (directory) for "each individual with a directory on an ARPANET host, who is capable of passing traffic across the
ARPANET."<ref>[[ICANN]] [[SSAC]], SAC 023: Is the WHOIS Service a Source for
email Addresses for Spammers? (Oct. 2007) ([http://www.icann.org/en/committees/security/sac023.pdf full-text]).</ref>

== Overview ==

"The primary purpose of the WHOIS [[database]] is to provide necessary information in the event of [[domain name]] disputes, such as those arising from [[cybersquatting]] or [[trademark infringement]]."<ref>[[Register.com v. Verio]], 126 F.Supp.2d at 242.</ref>

WHOIS began as a service that [[Internet operator]]s could use to identify and contact individuals or entities responsible for the operation of a computer on the Internet when an operational problem arose. Since then, the WHOIS service has evolved into a tool used for many purposes, such as determining whether a [[domain name]] is available for [[domain name registration|registration]], identifying the source of [[spam e-mail]], enforcing [[intellectual property rights]], and identifying and verifying [[online merchant]]s. 

The WHOIS service is not a single centrally managed [[database]] but consists of [[linked information]] that is collectively maintained in distributed [[database]]s by [[domain name registrar]]s and [[domain name registry|registries]].

== Data accuracy ==

Data accuracy is important to the effectiveness of the EHOIS service in helping 
[[Internet operator]]s to resolve technical network issues, as well as helping law enforcement officers to investigate such things as [[intellectual property]] misuse or [[online fraud]]. According to federal agency officials, accurate WHOIS [[data]] have the potential to allow law enforcement officials to identify individuals involved in criminal activities on the [[Internet]] more quickly than if such information were not available. 

Although [[registrant]]s are required to provide accurate WHOIS [[contact information]], they may supply false or incomplete information in order to hide their identities or to shield themselves from being contacted by members of the public.<ref>The [[GAO]] estimates that 2.31 million (5.14%) [[domain name]]s have been [[domain name registration|registered]] with “patently false” WHOIS contact data &mdash; data that appeared obviously and intentionally false without verification against any reference data &mdash; in at least one of the required contact information fields. In addition, the GAO estimates that 1.64 million [[domain name]]s (3.65%) have incomplete information in one or more of the required fields.</ref>

== Privacy concerns ==

The scope and accessibility of WHOIS [[database]] information has been an issue of contention. Privacy advocates have argued that access to such information should be limited, while many businesses, [[intellectual property]] interests, law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. Government have argued that complete and accurate WHOIS information should continue to be publicly accessible. Over the past several years, [[ICANN]] has debated this issue through its [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] ([[GNSO]]), which is developing policy recommendations on what [[data]] should be publicly available through the WHOIS [[database]].

On April 12, 2006, the [[GNSO]] approved an official "working definition" for the purpose of the public display of WHOIS information. The [[GNSO]] supported a narrow technical definition favored by [[privacy]] advocates, [[registry|registries]], [[registrar]]s, and non-commercial user constituencies, rather then a more expansive definition favored by [[intellectual property]] interests, business constituencies, [[Internet service provider]]s, law enforcement agencies, and the [[Department of Commerce]] (through its participation in [[ICANN]'s [[Governmental Advisory Committee]]). 

At [[ICANN]]'s June 2006 meeting, opponents of limiting access to WHOIS data continued urging [[ICANN]] to reconsider the working definition. On October 31, 2007, the [[GNSO]] voted to defer a decision on WHOIS [[database]] [[privacy]] and recommended more studies. The [[GNSO]] also rejected a proposal to allow [[Internet user]]s the option of listing third party contact information rather than their own private [[data]]. Currently, the [[GNSO]] is exploring several extensive studies of WHOIS.<ref>''See'' [[ICANN]] "Whois Services" page ([http://www.icann.org/topics/whois-services/ full-text]).</ref> Meanwhile, a review committee established by the [[Affirmation of Commitments]] began its first review of WHOIS [[policy]] on October 1, 2010.<ref>''See'' [[ICANN]] "Whois Services" page ([http://www.icann.org/topics/whois-services/ full-text]).</ref>


==References==
<references />

== See also ==

* [[Consumer Policy Considerations on the Importance of Accurate and Available Whois Data]]
* [[Privacy and the WHOIS database]]
* [[WHOIS data]]
* [[WHOIS queries]]
* [[WHOIS search]]

== External resources ==

* [http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3912.txt WHOIS Protocol Specification] ([http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3912 RFC 3912]) (Sept. 2004)
* [http://www.whoisdomain.me/ WHOIS Lookup Tool]
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Domain name]]
[[Category:Privacy]]
[[Category:Definition]]
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	At [[ICANN]]'s June 2006 meeting, opponents of limiting access to WHOIS data continued urging [[ICANN]] to reconsider the working definition. On October 31, 2007, the [[GNSO]] voted to defer a decision on WHOIS [[database]] [[privacy]] and recommended more studies. The [[GNSO]] also rejected a proposal to allow [[Internet user]]s the option of listing third party contact information rather than their own private [[data]]. Currently, the [[GNSO]] is exploring several extensive studies of WHOIS.<ref>''See'' [[ICANN]] "Whois Services" page ([http://www.icann.org/topics/whois-services/ full-text]).</ref> Meanwhile, a review committee established by the [[Affirmation of Commitments]] began its first review of WHOIS [[policy]] on October 1, 2010.<ref>''See'' [[ICANN]] "Whois Services" page ([http://www.icann.org/topics/whois-services/ full-text]).</ref>		At [[ICANN]]'s June 2006 meeting, opponents of limiting access to WHOIS data continued urging [[ICANN]] to reconsider the working definition. On October 31, 2007, the [[GNSO]] voted to defer a decision on WHOIS [[database]] [[privacy]] and recommended more studies. The [[GNSO]] also rejected a proposal to allow [[Internet user]]s the option of listing third party contact information rather than their own private [[data]]. Currently, the [[GNSO]] is exploring several extensive studies of WHOIS.<ref>''See'' [[ICANN]] "Whois Services" page ([http://www.icann.org/topics/whois-services/ full-text]).</ref> Meanwhile, a review committee established by the [[Affirmation of Commitments]] began its first review of WHOIS [[policy]] on October 1, 2010.<ref>''See'' [[ICANN]] "Whois Services" page ([http://www.icann.org/topics/whois-services/ full-text]).</ref>
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	==References==		==References==