What is the WHOIS database used for?
Although initially developed and used by network administrators to help resolve technical issues, the WHOIS database is now widely used by a range of Internet users, including: ISPs, governmental and law enforcement officials, intellectual property holders and registrars. Both CIRA and ICANN list terms of use for the WHOIS database which state that it may be used only to query the availability of a domain name; to identify the holder of a domain name; and/or to contact the holder of a domain name registration in regard to the domain name or in regard to the respective website. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to enforce this policy. In fact, the CIRA Registrant Agreement includes the following clause: 4.3 WHOIS: The Registrant acknowledges and agrees that CIRA has no control over how any member of the public uses the information disclosed by CIRA through the WHOIS database whether or not the information is subject to domestic or foreign privacy laws It is widely accepted that market
