Transfer Policy - Archived Version [Archived]

These pages and the links below are presented in the format of ARIN policy that was effective through October 14, 2004. This method of formatting was superseded by the format in the Number Resource Policy Manual (NRPM), which was published on October 15, 2004.

Transfer Policy

IP address space assignments are non-transferable and are not assignable to any other organization unless ARIN has expressly and in writing approved a request for transfer. ARIN is tasked with making prudent decisions on whether to approve the transfer of all or part of an existing IP space assignment.

It should be understood that neither IP addresses nor ASNs are “sold” under ARIN administration. Rather, addresses are assigned to an organization for its exclusive use for the purpose stated in the request, provided the terms of the Registration Services Agreement continue to be met and the stated purpose for the addresses remains the same. IP address space is administered and assigned according to ARIN’s current IP allocation and assignment guidelines.

IP address allocations or assignments are made, based on justified need, to organizations, not to individuals representing those organizations. Thus, if a company goes out of business, regardless of the reason, the point of contact (POC) listed for the IP number does not have the authority to sell, transfer, assign, or give the address space to any other person or organization. The POC must notify ARIN if a business fails so that the assigned address space can be returned to the pool of available addresses if a transfer is not requested and justified.

If a customer’s network is located outside ARIN’s geographic region, the organization must first contact the regional registry that has responsibility over that region. ARIN will accept only those transfer requests that have been previously approved by the appropriate regional registry (RIPE or APNIC) for IP and ASN records that are registered in ARIN’s database but are for networks located outside ARIN’s region.

Transfer Requirements

ARIN will consider requests for the transfer of IP space only upon receipt of evidence that the new entity has acquired the assets which had, as of the date of the acquisition or proposed reorganization, justified the current entity’s use of the IP space. Examples of assets that justify use of IP space include, but are not limited to:

1. Existing customer base that utilizes some or all of the IP space
2. Qualified hardware inventory
3. Specific software requirements.

Documentation Requirements

In evaluating a request for transfer, ARIN may require the requesting organization to provide any of the following documents, as applicable, plus any other documents deemed appropriate:

• An authenticated copy of the instrument(s) effecting the transfer of assets, e.g., bill of sale, certificate of merger, contract, deed, or court decree
• A detailed inventory of all assets utilized by the requesting party in maintaining and using the IP space
• A list of the requesting party’s customers that used portions of the assigned IP space.

If further justification is required, the requesting party may be asked to provide any of the following, or other supporting documentation, as applicable:

• A general listing of the assets or components acquired
• A specific description of acquisitions, including:
  • Type and quantity of equipment
  • Customer base
• A description of how address space is being utilized
• Network engineering plans, including:
  • Host count
  • Subnet masking
  • Network diagram
  • Reassignments to customers

Transfer procedures and other information can be found on the Guidelines for IP / AS Number Transfers page.