Single Webpage for ICANN Whois-Related Policies and Provisions

Originally posted: 15 April 2013
Last updated: 7 October 2014

This publication contains a current listing of the gTLD Whois-related agreement provisions and policies and is intended to provide easy access to this information.¹

1. GNSO Consensus Policies Concerning Whois
2. Procedures for Handling WHOIS Conflicts with Privacy Law
3. Registrar Agreement Provisions Concerning Whois
   1. June 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement
   2. May 2009 Registrar Accreditation Agreement
   3. May 2001 Registrar Accreditation Agreement
4. Registrar Advisories
5. Registry Agreement Provisions Concerning Whois
   1. .aero TLD Sponsorship Agreement
   2. .asia TLD Sponsorship Agreement
   3. .biz Registry Agreement
   4. .cat TLD Sponsorship Agreement
   5. .com Registry Agreement
   6. .coop Sponsored TLD Agreement
   7. .info Registry Agreement
   8. .jobs Registry Agreement
   9. .mobi TLD Sponsorship Agreement
   10. .museum TLD Sponsorship Agreement
   11. .name Registry Agreement
   12. .net Registry Agreement
   13. .org  Registry Agreement
   14. .post Sponsored TDL Agreement
   15. .pro Registry Agreement
   16. .tel Sponsored TLD Agreement
   17. .travel Sponsored TLD Registry Agreement
   18. .xxx Sponsored TLD Registry Agreement
   19. New gTLD Registry Agreement (Form Of dated 9 January 2014)

1. GNSO Consensus Policies Concerning Whois

   ICANN's agreements with accredited registrars and with gTLD registry operators require compliance with various specifically stated procedures and also with "consensus policies." (See http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/consensus-policies). Sponsors and registry operators of sponsored TLDs may be required to comply with consensus policies in some instances. Some of these consensus policies relate to Whois issues. The following policies and procedures have been adopted to address Whois matters:

   Whois Data Reminder Policy

   Whois Marketing Restriction Policy

   Restored Names Accuracy Policy

   Additional Whois Information Policy

2. Procedures for Handling WHOIS Conflicts with Privacy Law

3. Registrar Agreement Provisions Concerning Whois

1. June 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement

   < http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/raa/approved-with-specs-27jun13-en.htm>

   Section 1.21 – Definitions; Registry Database

   Registrar Obligations

   Sections 3.3.1, 3.3.4, and 3.3.8 – Public Access to Data on Registered Names
   Section 3.5 – Rights in Data
   Sections 3.7.5.7 and 3.7.8 – Business Dealings, Including with Registered Name Holders
   Section 3.12.2 – Obligations Related to Provision of Registrar Services Provided by Third Parties

   Term, Termination and Dispute Resolution

   Section 5.5.2.1.3 – Termination of Agreement by ICANN

   Miscellaneous Provisions

   Section 7.4.5.2 – Negotiation Process on Proposed Revisions

   Whois Accuracy Program Specification

   Registration Data Directory Service (Whois) Specification

   Specification on Privacy and Proxy Registrations

   Data Retention Specification

   Registrants' Benefits and Responsibilities – Domain Name Registrants' Responsibilities

   Transition Addendum to Registrar Accreditation Agreement

2. May 2009 Registrar Accreditation Agreement

   <http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/raa/ra-agreement-21may09-en.htm>

   Section 1.13 – Definitions; Registry Database

   Registrar Obligations

   Sections 3.3.1, 3.3.4 – Public Access to Data on Registered Names
   Section 3.5 – Rights in Data
   Section 3.7.5.7 – Business Dealings, Including with Registered Name Holders
   Section 3.12.2 – Obligations of Third-Party Resellers

3. May 2001 Registrar Accreditation Agreement

   <http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/raa/ra-agreement-21may09-en.htm>

   Section 1.13 – Definitions; Registry Database

   Registrar Obligations

   Sections 3.3.1, 3.3.4 – Public Access to Data on Registered Names
   Section 3.5 – Rights in Data

4. Registrar Advisories

   <http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/advisories>

   Clarifications to the New gTLD Registry Agreement, Specification 4; and the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement, Registration Data Directory Service (WHOIS) Specification (12 September 2014)

   Registrar Implementation of the 2013 RAA's Whois Requirements (31 July 2013)

   Registrar Advisory Concerning the "15-day Period" in Whois Accuracy Requirements (3 April 2003)

   ICANN Announces Steps to Improve Whois Data Accuracy (3 September 2002)

   Registrar Advisory Concerning Whois Data Accuracy (10 May 2002)

5. Registry Agreement Provisions Concerning Whois

   1. .aero TLD Sponsorship Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/aero>

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Sponsor; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Appendix 4 – Monthly Reporting

      Section 5—Whois is Service Activity

      Appendix 5 – Public Whois Specification

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section A.4 – Whois Service Requirements
      Section B.2.7 – Definition of "Whois Service"
      Section B.3.2 – Whois Service

   2. .asia TLD Sponsorship Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/asia>

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Sponsor; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Report

      Section 5—Whois Service Activity

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
      Section 7 – Performance Specifications

      Appendix S

      Part 6 – Public Whois

   3. .biz Registry Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/biz>

      Registry Agreement

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Sponsor; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Section 3.6 – Emergency Transition

      Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Report

      Section 2 – Registry Functions Activity Report

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 6 – List of Reserved TLD Strings

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 3.1.7 – Redemption Grace Period; Registrar Reporting Requirement
      Section 6 – IPv6
      7.1 – Bulk Transfer After Partial Portfolio Acquisition

      Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement

      Section 4 – RDDS
      Section 6 – Emergency Thresholds

   4. .cat TLD Sponsorship Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/cat>

      Section III.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Appendix 4—Registry Operator's Monthly Report

      Section 5—Whois Service Activity

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
      Section 7 – Performance Specifications

      Appendix S

      Part VI – Public Whois Specifications

   5. .com Registry Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/com>

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Section 3.1(h) – Centralized Whois

      Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

      Section A.5 – Monthly Report; Whois Service Activity
      Section C – Registry Functions Activity Report

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 6 – Performance Specifications
      Section 7 – Responsibilities of the Parties
      Section 9 – Implementation of new Protocols

      Appendix 8 – Registry-Registrar Agreement

      Section 2.9 – Domain Name Lookup Capability

      Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement (SLA)

      Section 2 – SLA Credits

   6. .coop Sponsored TLD Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/coop>

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Sponsor; Handling of Sponsor Data; Whois Service

      Appendix 4 – Sponsor's Monthly Report

      Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
      Section 7 – Performance Specifications

      Appendix S

      Part V – Public Whois Specification

   7. .info Registry Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/info>

      Registry Agreement

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Section 3.6 – Emergency Transition

      Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Report

      Section 2 – Registry Functions Activity Report

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 6 – List of Reserved TLD Strings

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 6 – IPv6

      Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement

      Section 4 – RDDS
      Section 6 – Emergency Thresholds

   8. .jobs Registry Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/jobs>

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Report

      Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
      Section 7 – Performance Specifications

      Appendix S

      Part VI – Public Whois Specification

   9. .mobi TLD Sponsorship Agreement

      <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/mobi>

      Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

      Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Report

      Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

      Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

      Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

      Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
      Section 7 – Performance Specifications

      Appendix S

      Part 6 – Public Whois Specification

   10. .museum TLD Sponsorship Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/museum>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Report

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
       Section 7 – Performance Specifications

   11. .name Registry Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/name>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 4 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 9.1 – Additional Services; Bulk Transfer After Partial Portfolio Acquisition
       Section 10 – Implementation of New Standards

       Appendix 8 – Registry-Registrar Agreement

       Section 2.9 – Domain Name Lookup Capability

       Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement

       Section 3.2 – Whois Service

       Appendix 11 – Registration Restrictions

       Section 3(b)(iii) – Defensive Registrations; Common Defensive Registration Eligibility Requirements

   12. .net Registry Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/net>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 6 – Performance Specifications
       Section 7.3 – Responsibilities of the Parties

       Appendix 8 – Registry-Registrar Agreement

       Section 2.9 – Domain Name Lookup Capability

       Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement

       Section 2 – SLA Credits

   13. .org  Registry Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/org>

       Registry Agreement

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Section 3.6 – Emergency Transition

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 2 – Registry Functions Activity Report

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 6 – List of Reserved TLD Strings

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 6 – IPv6
       Section 7.1 – Bulk Transfer After Partial Portfolio Acquisition

       Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement

       Section 2.4 – Degraded Performance
       Section 3.12 – Responsibilities of the Parties

   14. .post Sponsored TDL Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/post>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
       Section 7 – Performance Specifications

       Appendix S

       Part VI -- Public Whois Specification

   15. .pro Registry Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/pro>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       6(A)2. – Performance Specifications; Definitions
       6(A)3. – Performance Specifications; System Services
       6(A)4. – Service Levels (Availability and Performance)
       6(A)6. – Responsibilities of the Parties
       Exhibit A – Sampling and Testing Schedule

       Appendix 8, Exhibit G – Registry-Registrar Agreement

       Sections 1.19, 1.20 – Definitions
       Section 2.3 – Services; Whois Services
       Section 3 – Service Levels
       Section 5.1 – Credits; Calculation of Credits

       Appendix 10 – Service Level Agreement

       Section 2.4 – Degraded Performance
       Section 3.12 – Responsibilities of the Parties

       Appendix 11 – Registration Restrictions

       Section 8.3.4 – Verification Toolkit
       Section 8.4.4 – Continued Professional Standing – PS-SLD
       Section 9.1.2 – Compliance by Authorized Registrars

   16. .tel Sponsored TLD Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/tel>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
       Section 7 – Performance Specifications

       Appendix S

       Part VI – Public Whois Specification

   17. .travel Sponsored TLD Registry Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/travel>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 3 – Registry System Requirements
       Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
       Section 7 – Performance Specifications

       Appendix S

       Part VI – Whois Specification – Public Whois

   18. .xxx Sponsored TLD Registry Agreement

       <http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries/xxx>

       Section 3.1(c)(v) – Covenants of Registry Operator; Handling of Registry Data; Whois Service

       Appendix 4 – Registry Operator's Monthly Reports

       Section 5 – Whois Service Activity

       Appendix 5 – Whois Specifications

       Appendix 7 – Functional and Performance Specifications

       Section 4 – Whois Service Requirements
       Section 7 – Performance Specifications

       Appendix S

       Part 6 – Public Whois Specification
       Attachment 1 -- .xxx Product List

   19. New gTLD Registry Agreement (Form Of dated 9 January 2014)

       <http://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/agreements/agreement-approved-09jan14-en.htm>

       Section 2.13 – Emergency Transition

       Section 4.5 – Transition of Registry Upon Termination of Agreement

       Specification 3 – Registry Functions

       Section 2 – Activity Report

       Specification 4 – Registration Data Publication Services

       Specification 5 – Schedule of Reserved Names

       Section 3.1 – Reservations for Registry Operators

       Specification 10 – Registry Performance Specifications

¹ The listing contains the WHOIS-related agreement provisions and policies that address access to and accuracy of public registration data.