<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Dear colleagues,</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">We provided some clarification on this topic on the Members Discuss mailing list back in February:</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><a href="https://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail/archives/members-discuss/2019-February/003273.html" class="">https://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail/archives/members-discuss/2019-February/003273.html</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">We also presented on this at RIPE 78:</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><a href="https://ripe78.ripe.net/presentations/109-109-Due-diligence_RIPE-78-updatedv3.pdf" class="">https://ripe78.ripe.net/presentations/109-109-Due-diligence_RIPE-78-updatedv3.pdf</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Essentially, we can only accept an agreement that has been signed by a natural or legal person (meaning that the entity has separate legal personality).</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">While partnerships may be able to enter into agreements in some jurisdictions, liability is not as clearly defined here as in the case of legal persons. It's important to consider that there are many unique legal structures in our service region and our ability to respond to specific cases needs to be balanced against the need to treat all members the same.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">When it comes to the German "Kommanditsgesellschaft" or "KG" (limited partnership), we follow the information provided to us by the German Handelsregister. For example, the website of the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce states: "The KG does not possess its own legal personality distinct from the partners themselves."</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><a href="https://www.frankfurt-main.ihk.de/english/business/legal_forms/kg/index.html" class="">https://www.frankfurt-main.ihk.de/english/business/legal_forms/kg/index.html</a><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">As the Legal Team at the RIPE NCC, we follow the relevant case law that is developing around this issue. We will also review any information members wish to send us which may help to clarify certain legal specifics regarding their organisation.</span><br class=""><div class=""><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></span></div><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Kind regards,</span></div><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></span></div><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Linda Slaakweg</span></div><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Legal Counsel</span></div><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">RIPE NCC</span></div></div></body></html>