Sales of Unused IPv4 Addresses Gaining Steam

netbuzz writes "A growing number of U.S. carriers and enterprises are hedging their bets on IPv6 by purchasing blocks of unused IPv4 addresses through official channels or behind-the-scenes deals. There is certainly no shortage of stock, as these address brokers have blocks available that range from 65,000 to more than a million IPv4 addresses. And it's not just large companies and institutions benefiting, as one attorney who's involved in the market says he represents a woman who came into possession of a block of IPv4 address in the early '90s and now, 'She's in her 70s, and she's going to have a windfall.''"

The Year is 2021

[eldavojohn]

A bust has been made in the digital district of NYC. Agent Friedeggs and his partner, Copbot 4X, have a perp handcuffed in the backseat of their cruiser that is now being piloted by Google's driving software to take him back to the precinct where he'll be booked.

They approach the criminal's ancient Cadillac CTS and open the trunk. Inside is a briefcase packed with millions of little strips of white paper, each bearing an IPv4 address. Copbot 4X applies a small strip of multipurpose adhesive to his index finger with his mouth and reaches down to snag one of the strips. As he feeds it into his mouth and the ping trace times out he emits a satisfied Artoo Detoo whistle. "It's pure," he confirms as Friedeggs nods satisfactorily.

"You know, I think we're finally gonna catch these bastards. These addresses belong on display in the Guggenheim, not ... " He cuts himself off as a warning light goes off on Copbot's torso. "Jesus H. Tesla, they've hacked the GPS signal to our car!" Copbot morphs into a go a cart as Agent Friedeggs draws his Taser and slides across its hood. Cheesy synth horns flair up over wakka guitars as their silent electric motor spins them off down the street.

Re:The Year is 2021

[Anonymous Coward]

Glaring errors.

You do realize that GPS signals are completely passive, yes? The whole system works by computing your location relative to the GPS transmitters whose location are well known - it's impossible to hack something through the GPS signal.

Also, no Copbot would ever sample an unknown IP4 address like that, it might link him to malware or compromise his location. There's a reason why cops have forensic kits. That is, of course, assuming he still cares and doesn't drug himself into sleep mode with a jug of WD40 every night.

not for sale!

[Anonymous Coward]

I will never sell my ip address for any amount of money! It's 127.0.0.1!
It follows me where ever I go - it's very valuable, too.

Re:IPv4 forever?

[Dan East]

That's nothing. Wait until you see what happens when the clock rolls around on midnight on Dec 31st, 1999.

Re:Exactly why we don't need IPv6

[rgbrenner]

I completely agree... anyone who complains about IPv6 is a troll.. 3ffe:1900:4545:3:200:f8ff:fe21:67cf is incredibly easy to remember.

Re:Bullshit

[FlopEJoe]

You cannot own an address, you lease it.

I can. But that's because I'm not a penniless hippie. Wait... that's something else.

Re:The Year is 2021

[canajin56]

You do realize that GPS signals are completely passive, yes? The whole system works by computing your location relative to the GPS transmitters whose location are well known - it's impossible to hack something through the GPS signal.

Not if you build a GUI using Visual Basic and backtrace the signal.

Why does Valve care about IPv4 so much?

[InvisibleClergy]

I mean, why is Valve giving IPv4 so much more steam? Is this a sale thing or something like that?

Re:The Year is 2021

[localman57]

Glaring errors.

You do realize that GPS signals are completely passive, yes? The whole system works by computing your location relative to the GPS transmitters whose location are well known - it's impossible to hack something through the GPS signal.

That was really good. But can you say it again, this time maybe using the voice from the Simpson's Comic Book Guy? That would be epic.