[ncc-announce] [news] RIPE NCC Members and Multiple LIR Accounts - Decisions and Next Steps

Dear members,

The RIPE NCC Executive Board would like to thank the members for their contributions to the discussion on the ability of RIPE NCC members to open additional LIR accounts. The Board initiated this discussion because it was concerned that, contrary to the spirit of the last /8 policy, there was the possibility of people acquiring IPv4 address space by opening multiple LIR accounts with the aim of transferring that address space to another entity.

There were many considered and well-thought-out suggestions that represented a diverse range of opinions. Many of the suggestions put forward that could have a positive effect were matters for the Policy Development Process (PDP) to consider rather than the RIPE NCC membership.

The Board believes that the matter should be taken up again at the next RIPE NCC General Meeting (GM) to be held on 25 May 2016. At the meeting, the members will be given the opportunity to hear from the Board, have a further discussion and vote on the matter. Until then, the Board resolution to temporarily suspend the ability to create additional LIRs will remain in place.

The Board has decided on a measure to be taken immediately to deter the acquiring of /22s of address space with the sole purpose of transferring it to another legal entity. The RIPE NCC will therefore broaden the definition of policy transfers by including network acquisitions in the scope of the transfer policy.

Therefore, all network acquisitions will fall under the RIPE transfer policy unless they are part of an organisation merger, organisation acquisition, bankruptcy or liquidation.

Resources received following a policy transfer may not be transferred again to another organisation within 24 months, a limitation imposed by the RIPE community policy. This limitation does not apply to resources received through an organisation merger, acquisition, bankruptcy or liquidation.

Mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies and liquidations must be supported by official documentation issued by national authorities (e.g. Chamber of Commerce) whereas policy transfers are based on the RIPE community policies and supported by the transfer agreement signed by both parties. The RIPE NCC will update the "Transfer of Internet Number Resources and Change of a Member’s Official Legal Name" procedure and other relevant procedural documents.

We will handle ongoing network acquisition requests using our current procedures for a 28-day period starting from today. All those who have requested a network acquisition will be contacted to make them aware of the situation.

The Board has instructed the RIPE NCC to strengthen its due diligence procedures to clarify that transfer agreements are signed by a party that is officially authorised to do so according to national authority registration.

We look forward to further discussion of the multiple LIR issue at the upcoming GM. The Board of course encourages you to continue the discussion on the members-discuss mailing list if you so wish.

Registration for the upcoming GM is open and we urge all members to register so they can take part in the discussions and exercise their right to vote on this important matter.

https://www.ripe.net/participate/meetings/gm/meetings/may-2016

Best regards,

Nigel Titley
RIPE NCC Executive Board Chairman