[address-policy-wg] does 2007-08 open the doors to address trading?

On 8 Oct 2008, at 17:43, Jim Reid wrote:

> I'm not sure it's as simple as that. If/when IP addresses have a  
> more visible monetary value than they do today, I would expect that  
> will create nasty accounting/auditing/taxation problems. For example  
> when an "asset" that the organisation has "owned" for years suddenly  
> appears from out of nowhere on the organisation's balance sheet.

I broadly agree with your premise that there are 'implications to  
understand', but don't agree that IP addressing has historical value  
unless and until it becomes a scarce and tradable commodity.

Addressing doesn't have latent worth right now because as an LIR with  
a justifiable need, I can beg resources from a hostmaster, at no (or a  
small marginal - if billing score is implicated) direct cost.

I therefore can't trade any of these address resources because others  
can do the same.  This means that today the addresses have no value.

Best wishes
Andy Davidson