Hi Sander,
What would then be the difference between PI and PA addresses? Do you think we should get rid of that distinction completely, or is this not what you mean? I heard people talk about the distinction here at the RIPE meeting in Prague, so it seems to be a topic of discussion.
No hard need for an AS number, no right to vote, no need to make payments for resources to RIPE directly, others I am possibly not thinking of, right now. Still, you raise a very important point and I am not sure I have a good answer to your question at this point. Let me mull the question for a bit. FWIW, personally, I would always go for PA space in any scenario involving sub-assignments. But then, I am aware of RIPE's policies; many people are not. Maybe a questions like "are you sure PA space would not be better for your needs" with links to relevant documentation in the PI space request form would make sense. Richard