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Related Documents

Legacy Registration Services Agreement

Introduction

The Legacy RSA is offered to those organizations and individuals in the ARIN service region who hold legacy Internet number resources not covered by any other Registration Services Agreement with ARIN. Legacy holders who sign up are guaranteed the same services provided to other organizations who have a signed RSA with ARIN. A legacy number resource is an IPv4 address or Autonomous System number that was issued by an Internet Registry (InterNIC or its predecessors) prior to ARIN's inception on Dec. 22, 1997.

There is a $100 (USD) annual maintenance fee associated with the legacy RSA, which may be waived if an organization voluntarily returns unused address space to ARIN.

Note that ARIN will not reclaim unutilized address space from legacy holders who sign this RSA, nor will ARIN attempt to take away legacy resources from organizations who choose not to sign it. However, signing the Legacy RSA contractually locks in a set of rights, and thus reduces the risk of future change to a minimum.

Legacy Application Process

Step1

Complete the Legacy Online Application. This form is available at
https://app.arin.net/legacy/.

Step 2

Once a legacy application has been submitted, the requestor will receive an automated response that will include the ARIN ticket number. ARIN's Registration Services staff will then begin the process of evaluating the application to ensure that the submitted information is accurate and up to date. ARIN staff will contact the applicant if additional information is needed to evaluate the application.

Step 3

After the evaluation is completed, ARIN's Registration Services staff will send the Legacy Applicant a copy of the Legacy RSA. The Legacy Applicant will then need to complete and submit the Legacy Registration Services Agreement (Legacy RSA). In addition to the signature and contact information for an authorized officer of the company, contact information for the appropriate billing contact must also be provided.

The Legacy RSA is also available at
http://www.arin.net/registration/agreements/legacy_rsa.pdf. [PDF]

Step 4

Upon successful evaluation of the submitted information and receipt of the signed and completed Legacy RSA, ARIN will notify the organization or individual. This marks the end of the application process and marks the beginning of the contractual agreement.

Step 5

Two months prior to the one year anniversary of the date the Legacy RSA was signed, ARIN's Billing Department will send out an invoice for the annual legacy maintenance fee. The fee is due by the anniversary date. This billing event will reoccur annually. For additional details on the annual maintenance fee for legacy resources, please see the appropriate section of the ARIN Fee Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Legacy RSA

1. What is a legacy number resource and who is a legacy resource holder?
A legacy number resource is an IPv4 address or Autonomous System number that was issued by an Internet Registry (InterNIC or its predecessors) prior to the inception of ARIN on 22 Dec. 1997.  These resources are not covered by a Registration Services Agreement with ARIN. A legacy resource holder is any individual or organization that was directly issued legacy number resources, not their assignees.
2. How and why does this Legacy RSA differ from those covering number resources previously or subsequently provided by ARIN?
Legacy number resource holders will enjoy service agreement terms that differ from the terms ARIN normally requires in the RSA. The bottom line reason for these benefits is to encourage Legacy holders to regularize the legacy resources within the global IP number system under a very favorable set of terms. There are many benefits to legacy holders in doing so.

The first important benefit is the contractual promise to continue receiving WHOIS and IN-ADDR services. ARIN currently provides those services free to all legacy resource holders who maintain contact with ARIN. This could change if the community so desired. Correspondingly, we understand Legacy holders don’t want to receive free services from the community, but are willing to pay their fair share of the expenses.

The second important benefit is that the Legacy agreement precludes subsequent ARIN policies from limiting the rights of legacy resources protected under the RSA. For example, a subsequent policy that might seek to revoke underutilized resources would not apply to those who have signed the RSA.

The third important benefit is that the Legacy address RSA appropriately limits future increases in fees applicable to the services. In fact, the fees charged are nominal, [$100 (USD) per year in the first five years and capped per year subsequently.] The fees charged are intended to maintain accurate account records, to prevent hijackings, not burden the legacy resource holder, and to pay a nominal amount for services received.

The Legacy RSA is fundamentally intended to provide peace of mind to the legacy resource holder.
3. How long will this Legacy RSA process last?
ARIN's Board has indicated it will ask all legacy resource holders to voluntarily sign the very favorable Legacy RSA as soon as possible. Currently, ARIN's plan is to make the Legacy RSA available until December 31, 2009. There is no promise it will be available after that date. The global or ARIN policy process may require that more or less attractive agreements than this one will be made available in the future, however, no Legacy RSA party who signs this agreement will be forced to change to later terms. If such future policies are more favorable to legacy holders who have signed this Legacy RSA, the legacy holder has the option to sign this revised RSA. (This has now been included in the agreement – see new Section 15(m).)
4. Why is arbitration used despite settlement in the agreement, and how does this impact rights?
Arbitration is generally seen as more cost efficient and tailored to handle disputes about an agreement’s application. Generally, reliance on courts is more formal, requires more time for adjudication, and is more expensive than arbitration, particularly as here where the parties mutually pick a single arbitrator.
5. If a legacy holder can prove ARIN breached its obligations under this agreement, can the legacy holder get out of the Legacy RSA?
Yes, new language added to Section 14(e) and 15(l) clarifies that a Legacy holder can terminate the agreement if ARIN materially breaks the agreement. Cause needs to be confirmed in the dispute resolution process.
6. If I currently hold legacy address resources, must such resources be utilized before ARIN will issue new number resources to me?
Yes. In the future, as now, ARIN will not issue new number resources to institutions that hold legacy number resources without accounting for utilization of such resources. If a legacy resource holder attempts to transfer resources outside the ARIN system, then approaches ARIN to obtain such resources, ARIN is unlikely to issue new IPv4 resources to such a company unless the address utilization meets ARIN policy requirements.
7. What will happen to unused number resources a legacy holder chooses to return to ARIN?
Such resources will eventually be assigned to new applicants who can demonstrate the appropriate need for such resources per the need-based number resource policies in the ARIN region. If ARIN receives more unused resources than are needed in its service area, the number resources can be returned to IANA for its use or assignment to other RIRs.
8. Can ARIN take away the legacy number resources my company or institution currently holds if I don't sign a Legacy RSA?
Absent any publicly developed ARIN or global policy or a legal requirement, ARIN will not, and has no plans to, "take away" the Legacy resources, even if holders don't sign a Legacy RSA. However, signing the Legacy RSA contractually locks in a set of rights, and this reduces risk of future change to a minimum.
9. Will updating my organization record in ARIN’s database and signing the Legacy RSA require me to return to ARIN any legacy resources I hold that are not currently being utilized?
No, signing the Legacy RSA will not obligate you to return unutilized resources to ARIN. The Legacy RSA explicitly states that ARIN will not reclaim unutilized legacy resources from those who sign the Legacy RSA. However, it also says that organizations that voluntarily choose to return unutilized legacy resources to ARIN may be eligible for a series of benefits.
10. OK, I am interested. Who do I contact at ARIN to work with on a legacy issue?
Anyone needing information about legacy space in general or the Legacy RSA can call the Registration Services Help Desk at +1.703.227. 0660 or send email to hostmaster@arin.net. If you have legal questions, please contact ARIN General Counsel, Steve Ryan, at sryan@mwe.com
11. I am an existing ARIN member and am in the process of completing a transfer that includes legacy resources. Can my company sign the legacy RSA in order to separate the legacy resources from the ARIN issued resources?
Yes, once your transfer is approved by ARIN, your company has the option of signing the Legacy RSA which will cover your legacy resources only. If you do not choose to sign the Legacy RSA, then all of your transferred resources will automatically be covered under your current RSA.
12. I have legacy resources registered in my own name and want to sign the Legacy RSA. Can I sign the Legacy RSA in my own name and not a company name, and if so, how do I proceed with this?
Yes, if your legacy resources are currently registered in the ARIN WHOIS database in your name, then you can sign the Legacy RSA in your name. The procedure for signing the legacy RSA begins with the completion of a legacy application which can be found on the ARIN website (www.arin.net). Once ARIN staff has verified the information you have supplied, they will send you a PDF copy of the Legacy RSA and instructions on how to complete the Legacy RSA.
13. If a legacy resource holder decides to sign the Legacy RSA, but their organization name is different from the one currently registered in the ARIN WHOIS database, can they still fill out the legacy application and sign the Legacy RSA.
In accordance with the ARIN transfer policy; this situation would require the organization to provide legal documentation to support the registration information on the legacy application. Once ARIN staff has verified the information provided, the organization can proceed with their legacy application and would have the choice of signing either the Legacy RSA or the regular RSA.