Class Reference is misused, and probably of marginal use

[rivettp]

https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Relations/Relations/Reference, as used in FIBO (which is not in line with its definition), is spectacularly useless, and probably harmful.
It's defined as "a concept that refers to (or stands in for) another concept".
It's hence OK as the superclass of https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FBC/FunctionalEntities/RegistrationAuthorities/RegistryEntry
And https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Arrangements/IdentifiersAndIndices/Identifier
But then it's used as the superclass of

• https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/BE/OwnershipAndControl/ControlParties/DegreeOfCOntrol "the degree of control one entity has over another"
• https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Arrangements/ClassificationSchemes/Classifier "a standardized classification or delineation for something, per some scheme for such delineation, within a specified context"

And as the domain of several properties in relations, the most egregious of which are:

• https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Relations/Relations/appliesTo "a relation indicating something that is pertinent or relevant to the concept"- which is a lot more general than "stands in for"
• https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Relations/Relations/characterizes "a feature or quality that distinguishes something from something else" - ditto.
• https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Relations/Relations/classifies "arranges in classes; assigns to a category"

They should all be reviewed. And Reference itself, if we retain it, should have more value e.g. something useful you an infer or query on.

[rivettp]

Conversely, by this definition of Reference, https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Parties/Roles/ThingInRole should subclass Reference but does not, since the thing in role inherently does represent/stand in for the thing. And https://spec.edmcouncil.org/fibo/ontology/FND/Relations/Relations/hasIdentity should be (and is not) a subProperty of identifies. Or refersTo?