[ARIN-consult] ACSP Consultation: Whois Terms of Use

[ARIN]

Based on the review of the ARIN Whois Service as well as experience with 
the community and users of the ARIN Whois Service, ARIN has constructed 
a new ARIN Whois Terms of Use ("TOU").

Following community consultation and finalization, entities requesting 
Internet number resource WHOIS information from ARIN will be doing so as 
governed by this new TOU. There are notable and substantive changes with 
this new version, and ARIN invites the community to review this new 
version of the TOU that is available at the following URL: 
https://www.arin.net/whois_tou_proposed.html

The community's constructive thoughts on this new TOU are welcome during 
this 30-day review period.

Discussion on arin-consult at arin.net will close on 28 March 2014.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info at arin.net.

What Are The Core Reasons For The Update To The ARIN Whois Terms Of Use?

This TOU is an update to the current version of the ARIN Whois Terms of 
Use. Due to the nature of the changes, it is not useful to describe the 
changes line by line. This new version includes a number of revisions 
including the following:

* More robust, clear and detailed identification of permissible and 
prohibited uses of the ARIN WHOIS service;
* Mutual warranties regarding a User's and ARIN's authority to enter 
into the TOU;
* Clear reference to ARIN's Privacy Statement and conditions of 
information collected;
* Limitations of liability and disclaimers of warranties to clarify 
ARIN's liability in providing the Whois service;
* Defined dispute resolution process in the event a User claims there 
has been a breach of the TOU; and
* Various administrative terms to more clearly identify and define the 
contractual relationship between ARIN and a User of the Whois service.

ARIN has constructed this new TOU to improve the documentation of the 
relationship between Users of Whois and ARIN as the conditions under 
which ARIN provides its core service to the community. This was also 
done to aid members of the community who use Whois in having a clear 
understanding as to their rights and obligations with regard to Whois, 
as well as clarifying ARIN's rights and obligations.
Thank you in advance for your comments.

Regards,

Communications and Member Services
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)