Dean;
The "set" is the set of *registered* names. The proper and only way
to
query this set is through whois.
The only reason to have domain names registered is to use it
through DNS.
The only reason we have DNS is to associate information such as IP
addresses with names.
I think you should clarify your terminology.
You say "names". But, is it "whois names" or "domain names"?
I mean "people useful" names. Whois is a protocol for accessing the
registration of names. DNS is a a protocol for distributing Records
Wrong.
Whois protocol is a protocol for accessing the registration of
names, not specifically domain names.
DNS, domain name system, is not a protocol but the system to manage
domain names.
DNS protocol is the protocol to access domain names.
The system, of course, includes registries, which may use any
additional protocol.
Registries of names are found all over
civilization. At the Department of Motor Vehicles, at the Patent and
Trademark Office, at the Department of State Division of Corporations,
etc.
That's why clarification that we are discussing on domain names of
DNS essentially important.
As you are talking about not domain names of DNS system but
other names, your statement has nothing to do with domain names.
The remaining problem is that you don't understand "has nothing to do
with". But you can understand, I hope, that verisign is not the
trademark registry. Or, you may be able to consult with dictionaries.
Masataka Ohta