NANOGers - I somehow missed this particular discussion thread over the holidays, but just noticed it now and wanted to post some clarifying information for avoidance of any doubt - ARIN (the American Registry for Internet Numbers) is a not-for-profit organization operating as a 501(c)(6) trade association under U.S. law. I note that this classification is commonly used for membership-based organizations that promote a common business interest, such as advancement of industry standards or practices. ARIN’s corporate documentation (including our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws) can be found here - https://www.arin.net/about/corporate/documents/ Thanks and Happy Holidays! /John John Curran President and CEO American Registry for Internet Numbers On Nov 23, 2024, at 1:17 PM, John Levine <johnl@iecc.com> wrote: It appears that Owen DeLong via NANOG <owen@delong.com> said: Is there any one of the 5 jurisdictions where RIRs operate that do not define the existing RIR in that jurisdiction as a business? I know, for example that ARIN is definitely a business by the applicable definition. ARIN is a Virginia nonstock corporation which has a 501(c)(3) charitable registration with the IRS. It seems to be a theological argument whether you consider that to be a business. Most definitions of business include an intention to make a profit, which rules out ARIN. I’m less familiar with the legal frameworks and charters of the other three, but I’m pretty sure RIPE NCC is a business by the rules there. RIPE is a non-profit association under Dutch law. LACNIC is a non-profit association under Uruguay law. Same theological argument. APNIC is an Australian Pty Ltd so you can make a somewhat stronger argument that it's a business, although in practice it seems to operate a lot like ARIN, RIPE, and LACNIC. At this point I wouldn't try to guess what Afrinic is. R's, John