There is at least one active business reserving n-numbers and holding those numbers hostage.

Shortnnumbers.com

I do not see that it is right for a commercial business to take-over public property (like n-numbers) and hold them hostage/charge exorbitant fees to turn those numbers over to aircraft owners. I'm all for free market capitalism, but this just ain't right.

Under the current rules, someone could (theoretically) reserve all of the available n-numbers and charge an infinite amount the next time Boeing or Delta needs an n-number.

EAA and other advocacy groups need to work to put an end to this.