[arin-ppml] Draft Policy ARIN-2016-5: Post-IPv4-Free-Pool-Depletion Transfer Policy

[Mike Burns]

   I do believe such a provision would have significant teeth with respect to inhibiting
   IP address blocks as a viable large scale investment opportunity.   While those 
   of questionable repute may want work around such provisions, it would be rather
   difficult to establish a formal vehicle (i.e. fund) for investment in IP resource blocks 
   based on a requirement for the necessary representations and the associated risk 
   of loss of the entire investment in cases of fraud.   Other than that circumstance, 
   I agree that it would be fairly straightforward for most operating companies to make
   reasonable representations based on anticipated needs without significant concern.

Thanks!
/John


Now the boogeyman has morphed into a hypothetical formal investment fund for IPv4 addresses. Despite zero evidence of anybody buying addresses and then reselling them for profit, we are asked to include this non-operational chaff in the NRPM. Despite an atomized supply, despite anti-flip provisions, despite IPv6 in the offing.  I wonder again what is keeping this fictional investment fund from opening a RIPE LIR and buying all they want? 

For what it's worth, there are active buyers today seeking to acquire millions of addresses which they desperately need for their operational networks and planned growth. Guess what, despite having the largest warchests around, they can't find sellers capable of meeting their needs. Why do you think a fund would have any more luck? Where is your evidence that 8.5.2 would have significant teeth regarding its inhibiting effect on viable large scale investments in ipv4? Is this just your opinion?

John, people can have different views on whether IP blocks should be treated as other commodities, and thus hedged, invested in, or speculated on. There is no need to cast aspersions on those who have this view, and your language about "questionable repute" goes beyond policy advice and veers into policy partisanship.

Regards,
Mike