The nonprofit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that was setup to demonopolize the domain name registration process.

The organization's charter calls for shifting the responsibility for the IP address space allocation, domain name allocation and other functions to a greater number of companies. These services are now performed under the U.S. Government contract by Internet Assigned Numbers Authority and its contractors.

The intent is to facilitate the improvement of the domain name registration process.

Each ICANN approved registrar maintains its own database of domain names and name servers. There is a Shared Whois database that includes ALL domain names that are registered by all approved ICANN registrars. In order to check the true availability of a domain name, you must now check the shared whois database.

The Shared Whois database is updated realtime as far as domain name availability, but the Shared Registry database is updated approximately every 24 hours. Therefore, results of a successful search may occasionally be incorrect regarding availability and may contain only technical information about the registered domain name and referral information for the registrar of the domain name. In the Shared Registration System model, registrars are responsible for maintaining Whois domain name contact information. Please refer to the registrar's Whois service for additional information.

This system is new and will continue to change and improve as it evolves to protect the consumer in the global marketplace.