What about RFC954 dating from 1985...
<snip> WHO SHOULD BE IN THE DATABASE
DCA requests that each individual with a directory on an ARPANET or MILNET host, who is capable of passing traffic across the DoD Internet, be registered in the NIC WHOIS Database. MILNET TAC users must be registered in the database. To register, send via electronic mail to REGISTRAR@SRI-NIC.ARPA your full name, middle initial, U.S. mailing address (including mail stop and full explanation of abbreviations and acronyms), ZIP code, telephone (including Autovon and FTS, if available), and one network mailbox. Contact the DDN Network Information Center, REGISTRAR@SRI-NIC.ARPA or (800) 235-3155, for assistance with registration. </snip>
Shouldn't it be made obsolete?
Well, formally, the document's status is as follows: 0954 NICNAME/WHOIS. K. Harrenstien, M.K. Stahl, E.J. Feinler. Oct-01-1985. (Format: TXT=7397 bytes) (Obsoletes RFC0812) (Status: DRAFT STANDARD) In other words, it defines the simple WHOIS protocol. However, as is not uncommon for RFC documents produced in those days, the document mixes operational requirements and procedures with actual protocol specification, thus the above quoted paragraph. I'm however not aware of any attempt at re-specifying the WHOIS protocol itself, so that the above document can be moved to historic status; if you want to play along those lines, "feel free". However, I'm not sure a re-specification of the WHOIS protocol is going to quiet the rfc-ignorant.org folks' on this point. The question appears to be: "must there be registered at least one e-mail address per assigned address block", be that in either ARIN, RIPE or APNICs whois databases. Regards, - Håvard