[AfriNIC-rpd] Questions about legacy space

[SM]

Hi Andrew,
At 00:30 28-06-2012, Andrew Alston wrote:
>An institution has been using legacy space for 20+ years, and is 
>under the impression that the space actually belongs to them.  They 
>have always had full control of the space, used the space, and there 
>have been no problems.
>
>Now, during an exercise, said institution discovers that the space 
>is actually registered to another institution.
>
>They phone the other institution and the other institution instantly 
>agrees that the space should be with institution 1, and infact 
>within 60 minutes issue a letter to this effect.

They didn't even call in the lawyers? :-)

>Now, when asking for the database records to be modified, does this 
>classify as a transfer or is this just an admin screwup that can be rectified.

See below.

>I think the question here comes down to, what classifies as 
>OWNERSHIP of legacy space.  Does consistent use for 20 years qualify?

Ownership is a controversial word.

>If not, until there is a policy about the transfer of legacy space, 
>how would one deal with a situation as described above?  Since 
>policies take time to draft, discuss and ratify.

There isn't any policy for such events.  This is going to open a can 
of worms.  If the IP address space is already registered to another 
organization, what is the problem?

Regards,
-sm