Opinion ID: 784889
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Submitting a WHOIS query at register.com

Text: 113 To register a domain name, a person need only visit Register.com's home page at www.register.com. 27 There, an end-user is presented with, among others things such as advertisements, an invitation to check on the availability of a domain name by entering a query into an empty text box. [JA 1058 (first page with check it invitation)] Notably, there are no terms or conditions posted in proximity to this invitation or the text box. [JA 1058] Upon entering a query and clicking on check it, the query is submitted to Register.com's and other registrars' databases, and the visitor receives a search results page that indicates whether the domain name is already taken. If a domain name is taken, the end-user may find out the name and contact information for the entity that has registered the domain name by clicking on a hyperlink. [Oral Arg. Tr. at 23, lines 6-8; JA 1141 (WHOIS results page)] 114 The process by which end-users interact with Register.com's computer systems is important. When an end-user accepts Register.com's invitation to submit a query, the end-user's computer sends a query to Register.com's servers, Register.com's computer systems process the query and send a response to the end-user's computer, and the end-user's computer (generally) displays the response as a web page in his or her browser. 28 In all cases, information possessed by Register.com (or another registrar) is sent to the end-user requesting the information; as soon as the end-user receives the response from Register.com, the end-user also possesses the information. With respect to WHOIS information for domain names registered by Register.com, the information is sent along with Register.com's terms of use. The parties do not dispute that the terms of use appear only upon receipt of the WHOIS query results. [Red 30 (Terms of use appear at the very top of every WHOIS record provided by register.com.); Reply 7 (Register.com's use restrictions appear only after a party has submitted a WHOIS inquiry.)] 115 For example, if an end-user submits a WHOIS query regarding register.com, the end-user is informed that the domain name is registered to Register.com, Inc. and is sent Register.com's contact information. At the top of the page are Register.com's terms and conditions. Originally, Register.com's terms and conditions were substantially the same as permitted by section II.F.5 of the ICANN Agreement (quoted supra ). In April 2000, however, Register.com implemented the following more restrictive terms of use for its WHOIS database: 116 By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic mail, or by telephone; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that apply to Register.com (or its systems). The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or other use of this data is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Register.com. Register.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms. 117 Register.com has imposed the same mass marketing prohibition on the use of the bulk license data. In its amicus submission to the district court dated September 22, 2000, ICANN stated that: 118 To the extent that Register.com is using this legend to restrict otherwise lawful use of the data for mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations by direct mail or telephone (and not just by electronic mail), it is ICANN's position that Registrar.com [(sic)] has failed to comply with the promise it made in Section II.F.5 of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement. 119 ICANN Amicus Br. at 10-11 (footnotes omitted). 29 [JA-2885]