Comment on Press Coverage Linking the RIPE NCC with Criminal Activity

22 October 2009 - Like all RIRs, the RIPE NCC has a very strict set of guidelines, checklists and a well-constructed due diligence process for accepting applications from prospective LIRs to receive IP address space. Our checklists include the provision of proof that a prospective LIR has the necessary legal documentation, which proves that a business is operating as a legitimate company according to legislation. Additionally, we request network plans, justification for need of IP address space and even go as far as to request receipts for technology and machinery that allows the management of address space.

The RIPE NCC has a well-defined and stringent procedure that it follows in all cases before a prospective LIR's membership is approved. Part of this procedure is to request legitimate company registration documents from the prospective LIR. In 2006, a member was accepted after presenting the RIPE NCC with legitimate documentation. It is impossible at that stage in the process for the RIPE NCC to determine that a company is involved in illegal activity. The member in question later proved to be a front for RBN.

Subsequent to that acceptance, as part of an audit, the RIPE NCC determined that the resources that had been allocated were being used in violation of our policies. We will work with any organisation unless it fails to follow RIPE NCC procedures or is deemed to be criminal by a Dutch court of law. Following our procedures, the RIPE NCC closed the LIR in question and reclaimed all Internet number resources in May 2008.

We have always cooperated with SOCA, and continue to work very closely with relevant criminal investigation bodies to ensure investigations can be carried out as swiftly and efficiently as possible in order to ensure best practice Internet governance is adhered to and criminal activity is identified and dealt with in the appropriate manner.

Notes to Editors

About the RIPE NCC

Founded in 1992, the RIPE NCC is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that supports the infrastructure of the Internet. The most prominent activity of the RIPE NCC is to act as a Regional Internet Registry (RIR) providing global Internet resources and related services to a current membership base of around 5,500 members in over 70 countries. These members consist mainly of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecommunication organisations and large corporations located in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Central Asia.

As one of the world's five RIRs, the RIPE NCC performs a range of critical functions including:

• The reliable and stable allocation of Internet number resources (IPv4, IPv6 and AS Number resources)
• The responsible storage and maintenance of this registration data
• The provision of an open, publicly accessible database where this data can be accessed

The RIPE NCC also provides a range of technical and coordination services for the Internet community. These services include the operation of K-root (one of the 13 root name servers), the Deployment of Internet Security Infrastructure (DISI) and DNS Monitoring (DNSMON).

As a result of its established position in the Internet industry, the RIPE NCC has played an important role in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), European Union (EU) workshops and government briefings on key issues in the current Internet landscape.

Media Enquiries

Please contact either Blaise Hammond or Lucie Smith at Racepoint Group UK

Tel: +44 (0) 208 752 3200

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]