Comments on the LIR WG and its role

> Are the "highly competitive" LIRs "for profit" or "non profit" ?

Most, but not all, would be 'for profit'.  The main exceptions would be
national A&R networks (such as HEAnet).

> 
> Do you anticipate ARIN following RIPE and getting
> into the TLD business ?

I presume you're referring to RIPE CENTR, a forum for European
TLDs to work together and present a common front when necessary?
I couldn't really comment on ARIN's intentions in this area.

> 
> Also, do companies come to RIPE or the LIRs to obtain
> address blocks to avoid other registries ?

Hardly.  RIPE's policy and procedures, as documented in
ripe-159 (http://www.ripe.net/docs/ripe-159.html), have been
in operation for quite a while now.  Peer pressure helps to
ensure that they are adhered to, as does RIPE NCC's practice
of auditing the assignments made by LIRs.  

Not so long ago, many companies based in Europe had resort
to other registries for IP addresses.  Now, however, close
collaboration between the regional registries ensures the
fairly close alignment of policy and procedures globally.

Mike