You have overlooked a couple of points here Nick. On Wed, 8 Dec 2021 at 19:30, Nick Hilliard <nick@foobar.org> wrote:
denis walker wrote on 08/12/2021 17:43:
I would suggest that the free pool of IPv4 that the RIPE NCC has from time to time should only be used to allow new startups to enter the business. Transfers on these new startup blocks should not be allowed, ever.
What your suggestion does is acknowledge that ipv4 address space has asset value. Financial value of an asset is measured either in terms of capital value (probably non-depreciable in the case of ipv4), or as an operational cost.
When IPv6 becomes the dominant variant, the capital value of IPv4 depreciates to zero. Until then, address space you have bought on the open market, or were allocated prior to runout, does have a capital asset value. Holding any IPv4 addresses has an operational cost.
If there's no ability to transfer the objects out of the holding company, then a block of ipv4 addresses changes from a non-depreciable fixture to an operational cost for using an asset for as long as the fees are paid, i.e. a rental arrangement. Selling the holding company is straightforward.
This would only apply to these last dregs of address space used to allow fair competition. It does not 'change' to an operating cost. Holding any address space has an operating cost no matter how you received it. It doesn't 'change from' a non depreciable fixture as you did not pay for it.
In other words, what you're effectively proposing is that the RIPE NCC enters the ipv4 address rental market, and competes with existing market operators, with no real protection against address transfers.
Since it's formation the RIPE NCC has been in the address rental market. This is what it always has and continues to do. Before runout, if you wanted address space the RIPE NCC 'rented', or allocated, address space to you. The cost of the rental, or general service, agreement was the LIR fee. If you no longer needed the address space you returned it to the RIPE NCC, or rental company, and terminated your rental agreement. The RIPE NCC will not be competing with existing market operators. They can buy and sell any address space, except this tiny fragment used to allow new startups. The RIPE NCC can only rent out this last tiny fragment. cheers denis co-chair DB-WG
This may not be what you or other people intend to suggest, or want, but it is the practical outcome.
Nick