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class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Whois History</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Whois_History-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Whois_Purpose" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Whois_Purpose"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Whois Purpose</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Whois_Purpose-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Whois_and_ICANN" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Whois_and_ICANN"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Whois and ICANN</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Whois_and_ICANN-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Whois_Protocol" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Whois_Protocol"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Whois Protocol</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Whois_Protocol-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Whois_Replacements/Alternatives" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Whois_Replacements/Alternatives"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>Whois Replacements/Alternatives</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Whois_Replacements/Alternatives-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Thick_Whois" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Thick_Whois"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>Thick Whois</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Thick_Whois-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">8</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-External_links" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#External_links"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">9</span> <span>External links</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-External_links-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" 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background"></div></div> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From ICANNWiki</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><p><b>Whois</b> is a <a href="/TCP" class="mw-redirect" title="TCP">TCP</a>-based query/response protocol which is widely used for querying a database in order to determine the owner of a <a href="/Domain_Name" title="Domain Name">domain name</a>, an <a href="/IP_Address" title="IP Address">IP address</a>, or an <a href="/ASN" class="mw-redirect" title="ASN">autonomous system number</a> on the Internet.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div id="toc" class="toc" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="mw-toc-heading"><input type="checkbox" role="button" id="toctogglecheckbox" class="toctogglecheckbox" style="display:none"><div class="toctitle" lang="en" dir="ltr"><h2 id="mw-toc-heading">Contents</h2><span class="toctogglespan"><label class="toctogglelabel" for="toctogglecheckbox"></label></span></div> <ul> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="#Overview"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Overview</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="#Whois_History"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Whois History</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3"><a href="#Whois_Purpose"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Whois Purpose</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4"><a href="#Whois_and_ICANN"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Whois and ICANN</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5"><a href="#Whois_Protocol"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">Whois Protocol</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6"><a href="#Whois_Replacements/Alternatives"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">Whois Replacements/Alternatives</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-7"><a href="#Thick_Whois"><span class="tocnumber">7</span> <span class="toctext">Thick Whois</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-8"><a href="#References"><span class="tocnumber">8</span> <span class="toctext">References</span></a></li> <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-9"><a href="#External_links"><span class="tocnumber">9</span> <span class="toctext">External links</span></a></li> </ul> </div> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Overview">Overview</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Overview" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section's source code: Overview"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p><b>Whois</b> (pronounced as the phrase Who is) represents a protocol that is mainly used to find details and information about domain names, networks, and hosts. The Whois records contain data referring to various organizations and contacts related to the domain names. The Whois protocols operate by means of a server where anyone is allowed to connect and create a query; the Whois server will then respond to this query and end the connection.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Whois_History">Whois History</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Whois History" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section's source code: Whois History"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>During the foundational period of the Internet the only organization that was responsible for the administration of domain name registrations was <a href="/DARPA" title="DARPA">DARPA</a>. As the Internet grew in the 1980s, the Whois system appeared with the purpose of administering and looking up domain names, registrants, and other resources related to domain name registration. Still, at that time there was only one organization registering domains, so the system acted as a centralized query-based server. Over time the number of <a href="/GTLD" class="mw-redirect" title="GTLD">gTLDs</a> significantly increased, which led to complex networks of registrars and related associations; in response, the Whois servers became stronger and less permissive.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>How to maintain both a privacy-secure and safe Whois system, and an accurate database for contacts for any domain registrant has been one of the most intractable issues at <a href="/ICANN" title="ICANN">ICANN</a>. Whois is one of 4 issues areas subject to Independent Review under ICANN's Affirmation of Commitments with the U.S. Government.<sup id="cite_ref-Deja_Whois_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Deja_Whois-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> At <a href="/ICANN_45" title="ICANN 45">ICANN 45</a> in Toronto, the first opening ceremony address by new ICANN CEO, <a href="/Fadi_Chehad%C3%A9" title="Fadi Chehadé">Fadi Chehadé</a>, he memorably said that the Whois problem should not have been drawn out for 12 years and should not be a difficult problem to solve.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In late 2012, a senior executive at ICANN was brought in to focus exclusively on Whois.<sup id="cite_ref-Deja_Whois_4-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Deja_Whois-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Whois_Purpose">Whois Purpose</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Whois Purpose" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section's source code: Whois Purpose"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>The Internet has become an essential key for commerce activities and a wide source of information for worldwide users, and the Whois represents a database where essential contact information is found and updated.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Apart from finding information about the domain name or executing the queries created on the server, the Whois also: </p> <ul><li>Ensures support for security and stability over the Internet</li> <li>Determines a domain name's registration status</li> <li>Ensures restrictive use of information communication technology</li> <li>Enforces laws at the national and international level under the guidance of authorities during investigations</li> <li>Protects intellectual property and trademarks</li> <li>Ensures the right support for organizations in combat against fraud while complying with relevant laws</li></ul> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Whois_and_ICANN">Whois and ICANN</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Whois and ICANN" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section's source code: Whois and ICANN"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p><a href="/ICANN" title="ICANN">ICANN</a>'s requirements for registered domain names state that the extent of registration data collected at the moment of domain name registration can be accessed. That is, ICANN requires accredited registrars to collect and provide free public access, such as a Whois service, to information regarding the registered domain name and its nameservers and registrar, the date the domain was created and when its registration expires, and the contact information for the registered name holder, the technical contact, and the administrative contact.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Whois_Protocol">Whois Protocol</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Whois Protocol" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section's source code: Whois Protocol"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>The origin of the Whois Protocol is in the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="190c0eba9486442b97401c5909b282e5">ARPANET</a> NICNAME protocol, which was developed based on NAME/FINGER Protocol (discussed in <a href="/index.php?title=RFC742&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="RFC742 (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow">RFC742</a> from 1977). In 1982, in <a href="/index.php?title=RFC812&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="RFC812 (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow">RFC812</a>, the NICNAME/WHOIS protocol was presented for the first time by <a href="/index.php?title=Ken_Harrenstien&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ken Harrenstien (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow">Ken Harrenstien</a> and <a href="/index.php?title=Vic_White&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Vic White (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow">Vic White</a> from SRI International - Network Information Center. While Whois was first used on the Network Control Program, its main use was eventually determined by the standardization of TCP/IP across the ARPNET and Internet. </p> <h2><span id="Whois_Replacements.2FAlternatives"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Whois_Replacements/Alternatives">Whois Replacements/Alternatives</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Whois Replacements/Alternatives" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section's source code: Whois Replacements/Alternatives"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>Due to shortcomings of the protocol, various proposals exist to augment or replace it. Examples are <a class="external text" href="http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3981">Internet Registry Information Service (IRIS)</a>, the newer proposed <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="8156eae38e17275f0d4e90ae1051c2ab">IETF</a> working group called <a class="external text" href="http://www.ietf.org/mail-archive/web/weirds/current/msg00231.html">WHOIS-based Extensible Internet Registration Data Service (WEIRDS)</a>, which developed a REST-based protocol, <a href="/RDAP" class="mw-redirect" title="RDAP">RDAP</a>. </p><p>On September 24, 2020, the <a href="/GNSO" class="mw-redirect" title="GNSO">GNSO</a> voted to accept the recommendations in the <a href="/EPDP" class="mw-redirect" title="EPDP">EPDP</a> <a href="/index.php?title=WHOIS_final_report&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="WHOIS final report (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow">WHOIS final report</a> over objections from the <a href="/Intellectual_Property_Constituency" title="Intellectual Property Constituency">Intellectual Property Constituency</a> and <a href="/Business_Constituency" title="Business Constituency">Business Constituency</a>, the <a href="/Governmental_Advisory_Committee" title="Governmental Advisory Committee">Governmental Advisory Committee</a>, the <a href="/At-Large_Advisory_Committee" title="At-Large Advisory Committee">At-Large Advisory Committee</a>, and the <a href="/Security_and_Stability_Advisory_Committee" title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee">Security and Stability Advisory Committee</a>. In the past, once the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="2f683b5182eb1639ef9b5e7eb65ee54f">GNSO</a> has accepted a report, it was forwarded to the <a href="/ICANN_Board" title="ICANN Board">ICANN Board</a> for consideration. However, during <a href="/ICANN_69" title="ICANN 69">ICANN 69</a>, ICANN CEO <a href="/Goran_Marby" class="mw-redirect" title="Goran Marby">Goran Marby</a> announced the <a href="/ODP" class="mw-redirect" title="ODP">ODP</a>, which will provide facts and figures to the ICANN Board on implementation costs. This new layer of review is expected to slow down the WHOIS replacement process.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Thick_Whois">Thick Whois</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Thick Whois" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section's source code: Thick Whois"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <p>A Thick Whois Server stores complete and accurate information from all registrars regarding registered domain names and their registrants. This information is available to the registry operator and it can facilitate bulk transfers of all domain names to another registrar in the event of a registrar failure. Thick Whois also enables faster queries.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In November 2011, ICANN Staff issued a Preliminary Issue Report on 'Thick' Whois to determine if the <a href="/GNSO" class="mw-redirect" title="GNSO">GNSO</a> Council needs to conduct a <a href="/PDP" class="mw-redirect" title="PDP">Policy Development Process</a> (<a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="d7a8455f90853bae9f15b0ac5c0088cb">PDP</a>) regarding the Whois requirements made of existing <a href="/GTLD" class="mw-redirect" title="GTLD">gTLDs</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The ICANN community was divided on the issue. In a statement, <a href="/Verisign" title="Verisign">Verisign</a> said that it would "neither advocate for nor against the initiation of a <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="d7a8455f90853bae9f15b0ac5c0088cb">PDP</a>." The company also argued that its Whois model for <a href="/.com" title=".com">.com</a>, <a href="/.net" title=".net">.net</a>, <a href="/.name" title=".name">.name</a> and <a href="/.jobs" title=".jobs">.jobs</a> is effective but if the internet community and its customers believed that thick Whois is better, it will respect and implement the policy. The <a href="/Intellectual_Property_Constituency" title="Intellectual Property Constituency">Intellectual Property Constituency</a> supported Whois implementation. The constituency believed that it would help prevent abuses on intellectual property rights and consumer fraud. <sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On the other hand, <a href="/Wendy_Seltzer" title="Wendy Seltzer">Wendy Seltzer</a> of the <a href="/NCUC" class="mw-redirect" title="NCUC">Non-Commercial Users Constituency</a> (<a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="f2ddec823637136f7606cc9ac94164ce">NCUC</a>) expressed her concern over the impact of further Whois expansion on privacy rights. She pointed out that <i>"Moving all data to the registry could facilitate invasion of privacy and decrease the jurisdictional control registrants have through their choice of registrar."</i><sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In February 2012, the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="2f683b5182eb1639ef9b5e7eb65ee54f">GNSO</a> Council postponed its decision to determine if it was necessary for Verisign to implement the thick Whois database on .com and all the other <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="4697ac6f26f5689fb9ae486938ef922d">gTLDs</a> under its management. The Policy Development Process regarding the issue was also delayed due to the request of the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="f2ddec823637136f7606cc9ac94164ce">NCUC</a>. All registry operators except Verisign were required to implement Thick Whois.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In August 2012, the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="2f683b5182eb1639ef9b5e7eb65ee54f">GNSO</a> Council, along with two other ICANN constituencies, sent a letter to ICANN chastising it for its decision to not require Verisign to implement Thick Whois for the <a href="/.com" title=".com">.com</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="c509b3bd238b50a1f6f9f3cfd6cc3d2b">TLD</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On February 7, 2014, the ICANN Board adopted <a href="/Consensus_Policy" title="Consensus Policy">Consensus Policy</a> recommendations from the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="2f683b5182eb1639ef9b5e7eb65ee54f">GNSO</a> Thick WHOIS Working Group which led to the <a class="external text" href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/thick-whois-transition-policy-2017-02-01-enThick">WHOIS Transition Policy</a> for all <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="594cb7a6563ab5c889d951982d4f996e">gTLD</a> registries. This policy required that registries begin accepting Thick registration data from registrars for .com, .net, and .jobs names on November 30, 2019; that all new domain name registrations be Thick by May 31, 2020; and that all relevant registration data for existing domain names be migrated from Thin to Thick by November 30, 2020. Then <a href="/Verisign" title="Verisign">Verisign</a> and the <a href="/Registrar_Stakeholder_Group" title="Registrar Stakeholder Group">Registrar Stakeholder Group</a> reached an impasse over the European Union's <a href="/GDPR" class="mw-redirect" title="GDPR">General Data Protection Regulation</a>'s impact on data processing and the new requirements and obligations imposed on registrars. Verisign asked for an extension, and after months of conversation between the <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="mw-lingo-term" data-lingo-term-id="2f683b5182eb1639ef9b5e7eb65ee54f">GNSO</a> and the ICANN Board, the contractual compliance enforcement of the transition to thick RDDS was deferred (for the fifth time).<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="References">References</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: References" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section's source code: References"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <div style="font-size:.9em;"><div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-1">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://www.techterms.com/definition/whois">Whois definition</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-2">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://www.domainpunch.com/articles/whois/whois.php">Whois</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-3">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whois">Whois History</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Deja_Whois-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">↑ <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Deja_Whois_4-0">4.0</a></sup> <sup><a href="#cite_ref-Deja_Whois_4-1">4.1</a></sup></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/01/16/deja-whois">Deja Whois, News.Dot-Nxt</a>Published & Retrieved 17 Jan 2013]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-5">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://domainincite.com/10941-chehade-sets-out-12-point-plan-for-next-six-months">Chehade Sets out 12 Point Plan for Next 6 months, DomainIncite.com</a>Retrieved 17 Jan 2013</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-6">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://www.icann.org/en/news/press/kits/toronto45/video-chehade-15oct12-en.htm">Video Chehade, ICANN.org</a>Retrieved 17 Jan 2013</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-7">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois-privacy/tf-report-15mar06.htm">Whois ICANNPrivacy</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-8">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://www.icann.org/en/topics/whois-services/">ICANN Whois Services</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-9">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="https://www.inta.org/icann-accepts-whois-proposal-over-stakeholder-objections/">ICANN accepts WHOIS proposal</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-10">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://www.circleid.com/posts/com_net_thick_or_thin/">.COM and .NET: Thick Or Thin?</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-11">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/thick-whois-preliminary-report-21nov11-en.htm">Preliminary Issue Report on 'Thick' Whois</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-12">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://domainincite.com/fight-brewing-over-thick-com-whois/">Fight brewing over thick .com Whois</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-13">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/thick-whois-preliminary-report/msg00006.html">NCUC Comments on Thick Whois</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-14">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"> <a class="external text" href="http://domainincite.com/thick-com-whois-policy-delayed/">Thick .com Whois policy delayed</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-15">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/21/constituencies-blast-icanns-closed-door-verisign-com-contract-renewal/">Constituencies Blast ICANN's Closed-Door Verisign Com Contract Renewal, DomainNameWire.com</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><a href="#cite_ref-16">↑</a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2019-11-07-en#1.i">Resolutions (Nov 7,19), ICANN Board Materials</a></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <p><br> </p> <h2><span class="mw-headline" id="External_links">External links</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&veaction=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: External links" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/index.php?title=Whois&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section's source code: External links"><span>edit source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2> <ul><li><a class="external text" href="http://whois.icann.org/sites/default/files/files/improvements-annual-report-12dec14-en.pdf/">ICANN review of improvements to Whois in 2014 PDF</a></li></ul></div><div class="mw-lingo-tooltip" id="190c0eba9486442b97401c5909b282e5"><div class="mw-lingo-definition navigation-not-searchable"><div class="mw-lingo-definition-text"> <p><a href="/Advanced_Research_Project_Agency_Network" class="mw-redirect" title="Advanced Research Project Agency Network">Advanced Research Project Agency Network</a> </p> </div></div> </div><div class="mw-lingo-tooltip" id="8156eae38e17275f0d4e90ae1051c2ab"><div class="mw-lingo-definition navigation-not-searchable"><div class="mw-lingo-definition-text"> <p><a href="/Internet_Engineering_Task_Force" title="Internet Engineering Task 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Develops and recommends to the Board substantive policies relating to generic top-level domains and other responsibilities set forth in the Bylaws (<i>ICANN Bylaws</i>). </p> </div></div> </div><div class="mw-lingo-tooltip" id="d7a8455f90853bae9f15b0ac5c0088cb"><div class="mw-lingo-definition navigation-not-searchable"><div class="mw-lingo-definition-text"> <p><a href="/Policy_Development_Process" title="Policy Development Process">Policy Development Process</a> </p> </div></div> </div><div class="mw-lingo-tooltip" id="f2ddec823637136f7606cc9ac94164ce"><div class="mw-lingo-definition navigation-not-searchable"><div class="mw-lingo-definition-text"> <p><a href="/Non-Commercial_Users_Constituency" title="Non-Commercial Users Constituency">Non-Commercial Users Constituency</a> </p> </div></div> </div><div class="mw-lingo-tooltip" id="4697ac6f26f5689fb9ae486938ef922d"><div class="mw-lingo-definition navigation-not-searchable"><div class="mw-lingo-definition-text"> <p><a 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