Privacy issues with RIPE Database

  Dear Jules,

>Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2000 12:40:55 +0100
>From: Jules Desforges <jules at vas-net.net>
>To: lir-wg at ripe.net
>Subject: Privacy issues with RIPE Database
>
>Hi,
>
>I would like to bring an issue to your attention,
>which has caused VAS-NET some commercial harm.
>
>VAS-NET have been a local registry for over 3 years now.
>VAS-NET are also an active member of RIPE, we usually 
>send delegates to participate in RIPE meetings, and we
>make sure our staff are properly trained in RIPE procedures.
>
>We always endeavor to keep our entries in the RIPE database
>up to date. I'm now finding that our diligence in keeping
>the RIPE database up to date, is working in our detriment.
>
>We are finding that other companies who are in competition with
>us, are using the RIPE database as a tool to extract a list
>of our customer base and hence canvass our customers with marketing
>information. I do not wish to make allegations or name the parties
              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>involved, but we have witnessed this three times in the last 6 months.
^^^^^^^^^

  This is one of our problems, i.e. most people "hit" by others'
  non-conformance to rules or copyright shy away from following up.
  My feeling is that nothing is going to change for the better, unless we,
  as a community, and individual parties start to have those rules
  *enforced*. Doing so a couple of times and indeed going public with the
  action is going to change the "public perception" of the problem.

>The Ripe Database is the only publicly accessible source which
>contains a list of our clients. I do not feel that these companies
>could have gleaned this information from any other source. The
>evidence is even more compelling when all of the mail shots have been
>sent to the admin contacts listed in the RIPE database.
>
>As a company, VAS-NET endorse RIPE's open policy concerning IP
>Registrations. In the past we've always had issues with other registries
>for not containing information which is important for peering decisions.
>(especially the American registries).
>
>I suppose the biggest problem, is finding a way of safeguarding our
>customers from being targeted in this way. A solution to this problem,
>doesn't seem likely with the way the RIPE NCC procedures are laid down
>at the moment. But, I would appreciate any input from yourselves 
>regarding this matter.
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Jules Desforges
>VAS-NET
>

  Best regards,
  Wilfried.
 _________________________________:_____________________________________
  Wilfried Woeber                 : e-mail: Woeber at CC.UniVie.ac.at
  UniVie Computer Center - ACOnet : Tel: +43 1 4277 - 140 33
  Universitaetsstrasse 7          : Fax: +43 1 4277 - 9 140
  A-1010 Vienna, Austria, Europe  : RIPE-DB: WW144, PGP keyID 0xF0ACB369
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