RE: [gnso-rap-dt] WHOIS availability

["Greg Aaron" <gaaron@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks, Fred.  Please let us know if you and your team may be able to
contribute.

 

All best,

--Greg

 

  _____  

From: Frederick Felman [mailto:ffelman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 1:22 PM
To: Greg Aaron; RAP-WG; David Giza
Subject: Re: [gnso-rap-dt] WHOIS availability

 

Greg - because of our shutdown operations we may be able to assist.  I need
to see what data I might have before committing.  David Giza and his group
may also be able to help us as well. - Fred


On 11/16/09 9:43 AM, "Greg Aaron" <gaaron@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Dear WG:
 
I have a uniformity of contracts item I'd like to look into. It is also a
WHOIS issue, but it is directly relevant to our examinations of registration
abuse topics, and avoids duplication of the current GNSO study efforts
regarding WHOIS.  I therefore think it's in scope for RAPWG, and am happy to
hear your thoughts.
 
As you know, WHOIS is a vital tool when examining reports of malicious use.
In "thick" registries, the registry contains the contact data, and provides
authoritative WHOIS information.  But in the "thin" .COM/.NET registry, the
contact data is held by the registrars.  Abuse statistics show us that a
significant portion of the malicious activity on the Internet takes place on
.COM/.NET domains and nameservers, and so the accessibility of .COM/.NET
WHOIS contact data is vitally important.
 
Registry operators are contractually required to meet WHOIS Service Level
Agreements (SLAs) -- ensuring that their WHOIS services are up for a certain
amount of time each month, and respond at a certain minimum speed. However,
registrars have no WHOIS SLA requirements.  (See section 3.3 of the RAA at:
http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/ra-agreement-21may09-en.htm ) 
 
In my professional work, I sometimes come upon registrars who do not appear
to meet their existing contractual requirements, or whose WHOIS services
appear to be functional only part of the time.  This is anecdotal.  I would
therefore like to quantify the issues by seeing how a representative set of
registrars make WHOIS available.  Would anyone like to join me in this work?
 
All comments appreciated.
 
With best wishes,
--Greg
 

**********************************
Greg Aaron
Director, Key Account Management and Domain Security
Afilias
vox: +1.215.706.5700
fax: 1.215.706.5701
gaaron@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
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