[members-discuss] [RFC] Two board challenges (was: RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2020 - Board Reasoning)

Hello everyone,

I would like to challenge two claims from the board:

"The board also does not want a price per IP model because this
would have tax implications (the RIPE NCC does not sell IP addresses and
the charging scheme should reflect this) and we feel it is not in
keeping with the idea of a membership association."

In my opinion RIPE is renting out IP addresses. Whether that
was not the original spirit, it is the de facto status. Whether renting
out resources does have a tax impact should in my opinion by secondary
question.

Which brings me to the second claim that is even more important:

"The reason we suggest to charge IPv4 and IPv6 in
the same way follows the same logic - there is no tax designed to move
people to IPv6. We did not want to have a political, policy-driven
charging scheme because the board believes this is the work of community
rather than for the board or membership to decide on."

I think as a RIR, RIPE does carry the responsibility to help all of its
members. I also understand that early adaptors do have a huge advantage
by "owning"/"renting" huge IPv4 blocks for a rather small price.

While one can argue against or for keeping this advantage, I think it is
also not fair to penalise early adaptors, who have been doing business
for long.

However, treating IPv6 the same as IPv4 clearly gives the wrong
message. I think RIPE carries responsibility to support the growth and
support of IPv6. Not only by organising workshops, but also politically.

For this reason I propose that in ANY upcoming charging scheme, IPv6
resources will be either for free or at a significant lower price.

Two summarise:

- challenge 1: Clarify whether RIPE does (not) rent out IP addresses
  officially and any implications that come with the decisions?
- challenge 2: Clarify whether RIPE should or should not take clear
  political standpoint for IPv6 adaption including actions based in the
  charging scheme?

Best,

Nico

p.s.: If this is the wrong plattform for discussing those items, please
point me to the right place.

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