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WHOIS is the internet's public record system for domain ownership — worth understanding, whether you're buying a domain, checking one out, or dealing with a dispute.
What WHOIS Tracks
Registration date, expiration date, the registrar handling the domain, and (unless privacy protection is enabled) the registrant's contact information.
How to Look Up a Domain
Free WHOIS lookup tools are widely available online — simply enter a domain name to see its registration details, subject to whatever privacy protection the owner has enabled.
Proving Ownership
The person or organization listed as the registrant in WHOIS records (or on file with the registrar, if privacy-protected) is generally considered the legal owner for domain-related disputes.
Why Accurate WHOIS Information Matters
Registrars may require accurate contact information as a condition of registration, and outdated details can complicate domain recovery if you ever lose access to your account.
Domain Disputes
Ownership disputes — like trademark conflicts — are generally resolved through formal processes like ICANN's UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy), which relies partly on WHOIS records as evidence.
