prop-172: Defining Internet Abuse through IP Addresses

This proposal introduces a clear and explicit definition of “Internet Abuse through IP Addresses” (or “IP address abuse”) into APNIC policy documents. If adopted, APNIC policy would, for the first time, contain an agreed definition of this term. That definition would: • identify the categories of conduct that constitute IP address abuse; • state how such conduct is adjudicated in the first instance, and clarify APNIC’s own role in that process; and • be precise enough to serve as a stable foundation for any future policy proposal on resource holder obligations. This proposal does not aim to create any new obligation, reporting requirement, or compliance mechanism. Section 4 does describe a resource holder’s responsibility to respond to abuse, and APNIC’s role in holding them accountable for doing so — but that responsibility already exists under APNIC’s current policy requiring resource holders to monitor and respond to abuse reports. Whether any further obligations should attach to this definition is left for future policy discussion.

Alban Kwan