Revised VeriSign .net and .org Registry Agreements: Appendix W

Revised VeriSign .net and .org Registry Agreements: Appendix W Posted: 16 April 2001

1. Centralized Whois

Registry Operator shall develop and deploy a centralized Whois for the .com, .net, and .org TLDs if mandated by ICANN insofar as reasonably feasible, particularly in view of Registry Operator's dependence on cooperation of third parties.

2. Research, Development and Infrastructure Improvements

During the period between the Effective Date of this Agreement and 31 December 2010, Registry Operator agrees to expend a minimum of US$200,000,000 for research, development, and infrastructure improvements to the .com, .net, and .org Registries (the "Improvements"). The intent of the Improvements is to increase the efficiency and stability of the .com, .net and .org Registries. Registry Operator shall ensure that a substantial portion of expenditures for the Improvements occurs prior to 10 November 2007. Registry Operator shall provide ICANN with an annual report on this research and development activity.

Registry Operator agrees that one of the early goals of the Improvements is to design and develop a Universal Whois Service that will allow public access and effective use of Whois across all Registries and all TLDs. Registry Operator shall commence research and development of the Universal Whois Service no later than 31 December 2001. Registry Operator shall, insofar as is reasonably possible in view of Registry Operator's dependence on the cooperation of third parties, strive to achieve significant progress in implementing the Universal Whois Service by 31 December 2002.

Registry Operator further agrees that if it successfully designs and develops the Universal Whois Service it will (a) make the Application Program Interfaces necessary to produce software which can efficiently deploy and use the Universal Whois Service available to applications developers on an open, non-proprietary, standards-based and royalty-free basis, and (b) make the Universal Whois Service available at a standardized reasonable fee to be negotiated with ICANN.

3. Limits on Volume Discounts

Registry Operator will not grant any volume adjustment to pricing under Subsection 3.4.3 until such time as ICANN authorizes Registry Operator to do so.