[ppml] funding multihoming work was Re: Just say *NO* to PI space

[Edward Lewis]

At 7:25 -0700 4/20/06, David Williamson wrote:
>On Thu, Apr 20, 2006 at 05:18:47PM +0300, Pekka Savola wrote:
>>  RIRs run on non-profit principle, but nothing precludes them from
>>  increasing the expenses, e.g., for donations to make the internet a
>>  better place, setting a foundation for multihoming research to
>>  actually SOLVE this problem, etc.etc.
>
>Now *that* is a good idea.

At what point does an RIR go from increasing fees to funnel money 
into research initiatives to being a governmental body levying taxes 
to fund public works?

I'm not an economist/lawyer, I don't have the facts to argue against 
the suggestion above, but that question epitomizes the danger of a 
private (although non-profit) from playing economic games.

The RIRs have to remain neutral.  Cost-recovery and good stewards. 
Cost-recovery means no excess in the fees.  Stewards means having 
discretionary funds to maintain SLAs (sub-bullet: fiscally sound, 
insurance coverage too).  More than that and you are treading beyond 
what *might be* legally permitted.
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Edward Lewis                                                +1-571-434-5468
NeuStar

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