Re: IPV4 as a Commodity for Profit

[garrett.allen () comcast net]

alternatively the economic incentive could be a dis-incentive.  although the "packet tax" never quite caught on perhaps 
an ip address tax would?

thanks.
-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Eliot Lear <lear () cisco com> 

> Per Heldal wrote: 
> > Growth is king, also in networking. How can a v4 market meet the demand 
> > of an expanding global network beyond a short-lived gold-rush? A 
> > price-tag may create an incentive to sell, but doesn't create more units 
> > or magically solve other problems (e.g. fragmentation). Many are those 
> > who look forward to a v4 market. Not to invest in in, but because will 
> > be the most powerful catalyst driving the transition to v6. 
>
> I personally agree with all that you say, but it doesn't mean that a 
> market isn't useful. In particular, can it be useful in a transition 
> from IPv4 to IPv6 to those who are not in a position to easily move from 
> one to the other? They would pay a premium to move based on scarcity 
> already, but if there is no motivation to bring unused blocks into the 
> market, then they won't show up. And that is sufficient motivation for 
> a black market, a market that governments themselves couldn't play a 
> constructive role in (buying OR selling). 
>
> Eliot