ICANN has launched the beta of a new "one-stop" online WHOIS directory. The resource will be a centralized location for all WHOIS information, making it easier to learn about WHOIS, raise accuracy issues about WHOIS information and how to contribute to WHOIS policies. This information provides a clear and easy-to-understand explanation of how to access existing WHOIS information on who has registered domain names.
According to ICANN, this information is highly distributed over many different websites now, which makes it difficult to search and work with it. Meanwhile, domain community representatives, government and law enforcement, as well as international Internet community, find this common database with convenient search tools crucial.
At the moment, whois.icann.org features the structure and some useful information on new WHOIS directory. ICANN calls for all domain community representatives to participate in discussing the project and express their concern. It is expected that the integrated search function on WHOIS database for all top-level domains will be launched January, 2014.
