[arin-ppml] ARIN-2013-4: RIR Principles / Request for GeneralThoughts

[Mike Burns]

...SNIP...
>
> 1) Do you support the principle of efficient utilization based on need
> (Conservation/Sustainability)?

I think it is important to differentiate between the the free pool and the 
transfer pool when we answer this question.
I believe in the principle of utilization based on need for distribution 
from the free pool only, as that was a viable solution to the need to 
distribute a valuable but un-priced asset. I do not believe that a needs 
test should be a principle for transfers, as these assets are priced.
Further I believe that a policy which recognizes both pools' existence will 
limit access to the free pool for those who transfer away their addresses.

>
> 2) Do you support the principle of hierarchical aggregation (Routability)?

No, I can see a day when network operators decide that aggregation is less 
important than some other incentive, and I say leave it to them.

>
> 3) Do you support the principle of uniqueness (Registration)?

Yes.  Our primary responsibility per RFC-2050, and one which should not be 
"balanced" with other principles such that primary responsibility is 
impaired.
>
> 4) Do you support the goal of balancing these principles with each
> other under the overarching principle of Stewardship?

What is the overarching principle of Stewardship?  To me that principle must 
include the recognition that the Steward is not King, and should not be 
imposing new rules where not absolutely required. The Steward's job is not 
to expand the kingdom or institute reforms, but to care for and maintain, 
with the lightest touch, the objects of his stewardship.  RFC-2050 did 
include language about needs tests for allocations from the free pool, and 
for transfers, but was written in a time where a transfer market of priced 
IP addresses was not contemplated. If the authors of RFC-2050 did not 
include a needs test for transfers of unpriced assets, they would have left 
a hole which would have allowed the free pool to be liquidated through 
repeated transfers through an entity that got from the free pool, 
transferred away to someone without need, and returned for more free pool 
addresses.  So the principle of conservation through needs testing was a 
requirement for both allocations from the free pool and transfers only as 
long as a priced transfer market did not exist.   Markets are historically 
the way humans allocate scarce resources efficiently. Now that we have that 
market doing our conservation for us, the overarching principle of 
Stewardship in my mind is to recognize our prime responsibility of 
Registration, and not to vitiate the reliability of Whois by driving 
transactions underground through the maintaining a "principle" of 
conservation designed with only the free pool in mind.

Regards,
Mike Burns