Jakes Page

The Project Jake Story so far

Project Jake Rationale:

Project Jake seeks engineering solutions to complement and support existing DNS Registration Data disclosure policies and instruments, (including the RDRS). Key Principle: Support the implementation of existing policies, not making them.

The ability to access domain registration data is crucial for identifying who is accountable for a website. The quality and value of WHOIS data gradually degraded as the old WHOIS protocol failed to keep up with an ever-growing list of uses. Existing frameworks for Internet Domain Data registration and request processing fall short to uphold accountability online. To keep the Internet open stable and secure requires an effort of all stakeholders to develop a conceptual framework(s), and the implementation of tools that improve existing solutions.

Project Jake Implementation:

Since 2020, The Edgemoor Research Institute, ERI, under the leadership of Dr. Stephen D. Crocker, brings together subject experts from a wide range of stakeholder groups. As “Project Jake” they offer neutral and non-biased analyses to develop voluntary technical solutions for collecting and sharing domain registration data. The Project has been named after Elizabeth “Jake” Feinler, the first head of the ARPANET Network Information Center, the origin of the Whois protocol.

Over the last year, Project Jake has developed the conceptual framework. In late 2025, the expert working group deemed the framework ready for implementation. To enable the initial implementation, ERI entered into a collaboration agreement with TW Registry (TWNIC), Taiwan’s designated country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) manager. ERI is also working with requestor groups to develop the requestor side of the distributed Jake System.

Created in 2020, Project Jake has developed and is currently testing the Alpha version of the Framework and its related Protocols.

Early adopters are invited to test the Framework and Protocols, (available as a hosted service or as downloads), together with the Jake User Community.

A Beta version will be made available for wider dissemination and adoption late 2026 or early 2027

Project Jake Community

With the launch of the Alpha version of the Jake Protocols the project enters a new phase. Besides maintaining engineering excellence, main task is to incrementally develop from the original users into a larger group of early adopters which in time develops and forms the Jake User Community.

The transition, community building and project management requires a lightweight organization managed by dedicated staff, consisting of professionals in charge of engineering, community building, management and overall operations.

Important functions and tasks such as maintenance, support, evaluation development of new protocols, products and services will be delegated to and executed by the user community supported by a lightweight Project Jake organizational structure that gives the undertaking shape, a legal and financial framework and direction.

The Jake User Community will be assisted by Jake Core Advisory Group consisting of representatives of Industry, Business, Policy Interest Groups, Subject Experts and members of the Jake Administration

Project Jake Guiding Principles

Project Jake’s guiding principles are:
• Develop and implement engineering solutions that support existing policies.
• Enable distributed operation and implementation through a multi-stakeholder community.
• Prioritize the privacy and security of registrants.
• Provide requestors with clarity and predictability about what data may be disclosed and when.
• Help data holders assess incoming data requests and determine whether they are legitimate, lawful, and safe to fulfill—while minimizing liability.
• Safeguard privacy, security, operability, and economic sustainability.
• Ensure interoperability with existing frameworks.
• Promote efficiency.

Featured: Project Jake Benefits, by TWNIC

Project Jake Pilot Presentation ICANN 86, Sevilla

Invitation for Collaboration and Support

The further implementation of Project Jake will require collaboration and support from a wide range of stakeholders. Contact us at info@edgemoorresearch.org to request further information and enter into a dialogue on how you, as a requestor, registrant, or data holder, can benefit from and collaborate with Project Jake.

What´s Next

Jake Components made available for testing and use as Hosted Service or for Download. (Imminent)
Development and User Community. Continued Outreach and Onboarding. (Ongoing, Join us!)
Jake “Registration Components” addressing Registration Data Accuracy and Registrant / Requestor communication. (“Aware”)(late 2026)
Continued Evaluation and Development. (Ongoing)
Beta Version for general use. (late 2026 / early 2027)

How to engage with Project Jake

Requestors, Data Holders, Policy Makers are invited to engage with Project Jake:

Install Jake Software protocols and become an early adopter.
Form Requestor & Data Holder Groups,
Become active in Jake Development and User Community
Promote The Jake Framework as a become a Project Jake Partner organization and support the further development and implementation of the Jake Framework

Project Jake Events:

Recent Events:

Want to know more? Visit the Resource Center!

Watch Jake

Jake News

Edgemoor Research Institute and TWNIC Announce Strategic Collaboration to Enhance DNS Data Management and Internet Security

Association for Computing Machinery names Steve Crocker as 2024 Fellow

Meet the Jake Fellows

Edgemoor Research Institute, ERI, “Project Jake,” by bringing together and drawing on the expertise of a multi-disciplinary group of highly experienced and qualified Internet practitioners from all major stakeholder groups. “PJ Fellows” participate in the project in their personal capacity and participation does not imply agreement with any position Project Jake takes.