The Project Jake Story so far
Project Jake Rationale:
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 staple 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.
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.
J1
Working with TWNIC, Project Jake is now in the process of implementing a proof-of-concept working version of the system, titled J1. This system will feature an RDAP-based interface, enabling the identification and authentication of authorized requestors for DNS data. TWNIC is developing the data holder portion of J1, while Project Jake is developing the data request portion, JADDAR (see below). J1 will be a live system with a limited but significant portion of the overall system implemented. The goal is to have the first version of J1 available for testing in autumn 2025, with a beta release in spring 2026.
JADDAR
Project Jake is developing the data request processing portion, referred to as the Jake Domain Data Requestor (JADDAR). During J1, JADDAR will enable multiple users to request information about TWNIC-supported domains, while the beta and full versions will enable requests for information from all domains. JADDAR is accessed online as a stand-alone Data as a Service System, with minimal requirements for requestor agents and data holders to adapt and modify their own networks.
In parallel with the J1 implementation, we continue to collaborate with subject experts and organizations on the development of sample agreements, templates, and awareness and capacity-building activities such as online events and “The Jake Files,” a series of articles on topics regarding Internet Domain Data registration and request processing.