03 July 2018
The WHOIS search facility allows users to look-up a selected sub-set of the registration data held for an individual domain name. With the implementation of the EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) on 25 May 2018, WHOIS data was no longer publically available.
Overnight critical information which helped ACG members and investigators to identify fraud and counterfeiters disappeared. Users now have to make direct requests to registrars setting out why they have a legitimate interest in receiving non-public WHOIS data.
ACG lobbied ICANN, along with other stakeholders, governments and enforcement authorities to ask them to maintain an appropriately open system. ACG members were asked to lobby their MPs and MEPs. Alison Statham, ACG Director General wrote to the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and to Margot James MP, Minister for Digital and Creative Industries.
Yesterday, ACG received a response from Margot James MP to thanks us for raising awareness of the issue and to confirm the government is pressing ICANN for a resolution. Read the response from Margot James MP.
ACG represents more than 3,000 brands affected by this influx of fakes into the UK and delivers an international network of information, advice and contacts on all aspects of IP protection. Working with Government and law enforcement agencies since 1980, ACG is focused on providing an effective and sustained response to counterfeiting.
Membership with the ACG is the best way to work with government and enforcement bodies to protect your brand. Our Roadshows and training days help you reach out to police, trading standards and border force officers and tell them about your genuine products.