Dear colleagues, Apologies for the delay in replying. It took me a while to find the time to write this article. I have written a RIPE Labs article explaining the background of how the RIPE Database works as an open, global Internet Routing Registry: https://labs.ripe.net/Members/denis/using-the-ripe-database-as-an-internet-r... The article outlines the different scenarios, which explain how the reported situation occurred. I also raised a few questions in the article that I have heard whispered over the years. Perhaps it is time to review how this aspect of the database works. I also wrote an email to the Address Policy Working Group recently outlining the can/can't do list of actions regarding the aut-num object, which may be of interest in this discussion: http://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail/archives/address-policy-wg/2013-August/008174.... Regards Denis Walker Business Analyst RIPE NCC Database Team