RE: Allocation of IP Addresses

[Jim Browning <jfbb () atmnet net>]

> From:  Perry E. Metzger[SMTP:perry () piermont com]
>
> Jim Browning writes:
> > DeBeers has controlled (or at least significantly influenced) the price 
of
> > diamonds for decades, ensuring that they appreciate in value by 
controlling
> > supply, and by buying diamonds on the wholesale market to keep the price 
up
> > (similar to what countries do to protect their currencies).  They could
> > flood the market at any time, driving the price down dramatically.  Of
> > course this isn't in their best interest, so they won't do it.  However
> > Russia might, as they have stockpiled large quantities of diamonds, and 
may
> > not have the same goal as DeBeers...
>
> So in what way is this a demonstration of a monopoly able to
> arbitrarily raise prices? What you've shown is that someone might be
> able to arbitrarily drop prices...


The price has been artificially raised through the years by controlling 
supply, and it is only a government (the former USSR) which has (to the 
best of my knowledge) threatened DeBeers control.
--
Jim Browning