A couple of observations... The first one being: you still seem to *not* get the difference between RIPE (the community, rather fuzzily defined, both geogrpahically as well as structurally) and the NCC (the entity formed and founded by its members to do just *one* thing: run the numbers registry on behalf of the members). Ronald F. Guilmette wrote: [...]
I do not think a RIR can survive any other way than by being a "disinterested party" that engages in registry duties, and none other.
Assuming, for the sake of argument, that I and every other member of RIPE agreed with that exact assertion, then I would be forced to ask the obvious question: What then are the goals, missions, and responsibilities of the RIPE Anti-Abuse working group?
May I suggest this description: http://www.ripe.net/ripe/groups/wg/anti-abuse On a more general aspect, please try to relate to the general raos traffic: In most countries, I presume, the unique license plates are managed and issued by one or even more entities. Those entities do not accept any responsibility for the behaviour of the person using a uniquely identified vehicle. It is a task for the police or traffic wardens or whatever applies to your jurisdiction, to oversee the use of the vehicle according to *local* law. If a violation is observed or reported, it is the job of the regular legal system to follow up. If "someone" shouts to the maintainer of the unique license plate numbers "stop what I don't like", instead of getting in touch with the police, you will have see limited success. Is this something you can relate to? To finish off, may I state here (again) that there is infrastructure around to properly and usefully report (perceived) "network abuse"[1]. It is either your local law enforcement agency and/or your (own, local ISP, industry sector or national CSIRT). Those parties do have the mandate, the means and tools, etc. to follow up and take the appropriate steps. Hth, regards, Wilfried. [1] in order to use those services, having a "common" "definition" of "network abuse" is not even necessary :-)