Hello Jeff,
Tuesday, July 25, 2000, 6:47:44 PM, you wrote:
> On Tue, 25 Jul 2000, William X. Walsh wrote:
>> using whois alone. Chances are they are using the actual zone files,
>> doing a diff against them, getting a list of newly added domains, and
>> then doing specific queries on just those domains.
> I wonder how the queries are being performed and in what volume.
> The NSI tld zone file access agreement forbids "high volume, automated,
> electronic processes that apply to any .com, .net, or .org registrar (or
> their systems) for large numbers of domain names except as reasonably
> necessary to register domain names or modify existing registrations". On
This is to prevent people using the zone files to automate mass
registrations of expiring domains. It would be a real stretch to
extend this to Verio's actions.
> a marginally interesting note, I just noticed that the ICANN registrar
> agreement states this (and the no spam rule) as the only allowed
> restrictions that a registrar can apply to whois output. But also of
> interest is the section that allows the registrar to sell their data for a
> fee of up to $10,000 to a third party. So perhaps instead what is
> occurring is some form of theft, since OpenSRS has not sold their whois
> information to Verio and Verio instead opts to "embezzle" the information?
This also is a real stretch. OpenSRS provides the data free and
openly, the payment is for a downloadable complete database that can
be more easily used. This may be different if Verio were actually
mining the database, but like I said earlier, this doesn't seem to be
the case.
> ICANN's page also lists Verio as a pending registrar with a status
> of "Companies that have qualified for accreditation as post-testbed
> registrars, but are not yet finally accredited". The conduct that Verio
> is currently displaying does not seem to be very registrar-like.
> I have already filed a complaint with NSI suggesting that Verio
> may be violating the zone file access agreement. I suspect that NSI will
> not find Verio's activity in violation. If that holds true, I am going to
> file a complaint with ICANN and attempt to affect their pending
> accreditation. I have no delusions of that working either. But at least
> noise will be made.
Keep us informed.
--
Best regards,
William mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
