A WHOIS database is an online information platform that stores details of registered domain names. It is a repository that lets people search for the identity and details of domain name holders or registrants.
If you wish to find out the details and persons holding a particular domain name, you can do a search on the WHOIS. Information such as domain name creation and expiration dates, name of registrant, and administrative information are usually displayed when queried. Most registrars, would provide the link to a WHOIS record on their website. You can also go to the respective registry to check on their WHOIS database records.
.SG Domain names registered from 2 May 2013 onwards will be subjected to VerifiedID@SG. It is a verification scheme aimed at minimizing identity theft and the usage of fake identities in the registration of .sg domain names. It enhances the trustworthiness and security of all .sg domain names, giving stakeholders maximum confidence in their interactions and transactions.
VerifiedID@SG involves having the domain administrative contact using their SingPass to log-in to the VerifiedID@SG portal to verify that the domain name registrant's identity and contact information is correct. Failure of the domain administrative contact to do the verification within 21 days will lead to the suspension of domain name by SGNIC.
There are times when more than one registrant claims to have the right to register or use a domain name, or when a registered domain name is being disputed to have violated another person's or company's name. This could happen when the brand or company name is a generic word or there are many similar uses of the same name. It can also be an attempt to imitate and steal traffic. Domain names are registered on a first-come-first-served basis and there are some ccTLDs and TLDs that do not require further proof of right to the name if the registrant satisfies the registration requirement. Hence, there could arise a situation where 2 different parties each registered the exact same name but in different extensions. An example is one entity has registered abcfood.com.sg while abcfood.sg is registered by a different person or entity. It is therefore a good practice to register all important names in different extensions to protect against immediate or future name confusion.
If one has a trademark or has strong historical background to the name that was already registered by another person or entity, one can raise a dispute or challenge to the current registrant of the concerned name. Such disputes of domain name registration ownership or unauthorized use of a domain name can be reported to and mediated by the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). In Singapore, disputes related to this matter can be addressed by Singapore Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (SDRP).
More information on the resolution of domain disputes involving the registrant and any other party regarding registration and the use of registrant's ".sg" domain name can be found at
www.sgnic.sg.