[members-discuss] Charging scheme discussion

Dear Colleagues,

The RIPE NCC Executive Board is very happy to note the detailed level of 
discussion the membership has engaged in regarding the proposed RIPE NCC 
Charging Scheme model. We are very grateful for the feedback we have 
received, both positive and negative.

We have followed the discussions closely and will continue to do so 
until we have our Executive Board meeting on 2 August to formulate the 
Draft Charging Scheme 2013, which will be presented for members to vote 
on at the RIPE NCC General Meeting on 26 September 2012.

The proposed model is available at:

http://www.ripe.net/lir-services/ncc/gm/september-2012/charging-scheme-model-proposal 


Some of the issues that have arisen during the discussion on the list are:

- Concerns over the self-determination aspect of the model, such as the 
belief that large LIRs will declare as Small LIRs
- Proposals to charge members based on resource usage
- Comments that the proposed model favours large LIRs
- Proposals to divide costs equally among all members
- The Charging Scheme should not be based on IPv4 resources
- Changing RIPE NCC status from non-taxable to taxable to have more 
flexibility in the fee schedule

Many of the issues that have risen in the discussions are also included 
in the Report of the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme Task Force, and we would 
advise you to read this document. It is available as a PDF at:
https://www.ripe.net/lir-services/ncc/gm/april-2012/supporting-documents/report-of-the-charging-scheme-task-force 


Regarding the issue of changing the RIPE NCC model so that it becomes 
subject to corporate income taxation, it is unclear how exactly this 
would impact RIPE NCC finances. However, it could be expensive because 
the RIPE NCC reserves could come under scrutiny.

The Executive Board will continue to monitor the discussions on the 
mailing list, and we thank you for the valuable input you have given us 
so far.

Best regards,

Nigel Titley
Chairman of the RIPE NCC Executive Board