WHOIS Task Force 1 Teleconference January 20, 2004 - Minutes ATTENDEES: GNSO Constituency representatives: Liaisons: Absent: Jeff Neuman suggested that the final list of non marketing users of Whois data, with contact persons mentioned where possible, should be finalized on the mailing list so that the letter could be sent out. Jeff Neuman referred to the survey letter to be sent out to non marketing users of Whois data. The substance of the letter had been drafted on the January 13, call. From: ICANN Whois Taskforce 1 Dear [contact] This letter comes to you on behalf of the Generic Names Supporting Organization ("GNSO") of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN"). ICANN is an internationally organized, non-profit corporation that has responsibility for Internet Protocol address space allocation, protocol identifier assignment, generic and country code Top-Level Domain name system management, and root server system management functions. The GNSO's role is to help to promote the development of Internet policy and encourage diverse and international participation in the technical management of the Internet. We are members of a Task Force that has been appointed by the GNSO to examine the uses of Whois information obtained through two very specific sources. Under contractual agreements with ICANN, top-level domain registries and registrars are required to provide access to Whois data through "Port 43" as well as through the Web. The Internet has hundreds of "ports" which generally refers to locations through which an individual or organization is able to receive information. "Port 43" is the location that has been reserved for the distribution and receipt of contact information about the owner, administrative and technical contacts of a particular domain name. To help the task force develop policy recommendations about access to Whois data, we are gathering information from organizations such as yours that we understand are using or have used Whois information for various purposes. Because your business or activities could be affected by our recommendations, we encourage you to take a few moments to answer the questions below. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Your submissions will not be shared beyond the members of this task force. Please note that all questions pertain only to whois information which is the name, email, street address, phone and other information about the registrant, and the other contacts, of the domain name), and not to zone file information which is the list of all domain names (with each name's name servers) registered at the registry. In addition, for each question except for the last one, please feel free to select more than one answer to each question, if more than one answer is applicable. 2) Are you getting this information directly from an ICANN-Accredited Registrar or gTLD Registry? 3) Do you routinely disseminate the obtained Whois information to third parties (Yes/No/don't know)? 3.1) If so, do you disseminate: 3.2) If you answered yes to Number 3, how do you disseminate the obtained Whois information? b) I operate a WHOIS proxy that is accessible through a web interface 4) Approximately how many Whois queries/lookups do you perform on average per day? 5) Do you store the Whois information? 6) Please indicate the general purposes of your use of Whois data (you may select more than one item - choose as many that apply) a. For law enforcement by public authorities 7) In your own words, please provide a brief explanation of how you obtain and use Whois data. 8) If you currently use Port 43 to access WHOIS information, and such access were not available in the future, would you be able to use any other source for such data? 9) What is the most important factor (justifying/explaining) your access to WHOIS data. (Although each answer may be applicable to you or your organization, please select only the most relevant answer below): Please explain your answer. Thank you very much for your time and participation. For our complete description of work, please see /issues/whois-privacy/tor.shtml. Regards, Jeffrey J. Neuman Jeff Neuman referred to Milton Mueller's comment that an introduction was unnecessary and public education on ICANN was inappropriate. It was suggested that the 4th paragraph be moved up to the beginning making relevant to the first answer but not identify them. Take out port 43 explanation Tony Harris referred to "Because your business or activities could be affected by our recommendations," as being strong language and proposed:"Whois data accessibility used in your business or activities...." suggesting that it is the access to the Whois data that could be affected by the recommendations rather than the business or activities which would be a consequence. Question 1, a and b should be switched Question 2. It was suggested providing a link from the ICANN website to the Accredited registrars and gTLD Registries. Question 7. Suggested wording, If applicable, please provide a brief explanation of your use, if any, of query based Whois services Question 8 If you currently use Port 43 to access WHOIS information, and such access were not available in the future, would you be able to use any other source for such data? replace: with: If not, why? Question 9: What is the most important factor (justifying/explaining) your access to WHOIS data. (Although each answer may be applicable to you or your organization, please select only the most relevant answer below): "Justifying/explaining" were the controversial words where a rewording replacement was suggested : Jeff Neuman volunteered to circulate a revised draft of the questionnaire. Timelines Send out Questionnaire by end of week 22/23 January Here are the terms of reference for the task force. Please let know your policy positions on these questions and also here is the survey that we are sending out to target firms and if you have anybody else in mind to send it to please do so and let us know who it is. February 9 Responses to questionnaire should be returned Thomas Roessler questioned constituency statements before the fact finding data was returned. Paul Stahura suggested that the constituency statements have a general section that could cover all three task forces as well as a separate area for comments on each task force's specific terms of reference. February 25 Interim report: comprising the factual findings from the survey results as a base of discussion at the Whois Rome workshop on Wednesday 3 March. April 9 Preliminary report comprising feedback from the Whois workshop in Rome, factual information and constituency policy suggestions and policy recommendations. May 20 (tbd in coordination with the GNSO Council meeting) Final report to Council Whois Workshop at Rome ICANN meetings, Wednesday 3 March, one and a half hour timeline Next Call: January 27, 2004 Needs and justification chart Jeff Neuman thanked everyone for their presence and participation and ended the call at 17:05 UTC. Next call: Tuesday 27 January 2004, 16:00 UTC, 11:00 EST, 8:00 Los Angeles, 17:00 CET. |