[arin-ppml] Update on 2009-3: Global Policy for the Allocation of IPv4 Blocks to RIRs

[William Herrin]

On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 2:36 PM, Scott Leibrand<scottleibrand at gmail.com> wrote:
> This is an update on the status of the Global Policy for the Allocation
> of IPv4 Blocks to Regional Internet Registries, which is policy proposal
> 2009-3 here in the ARIN region. Please also see below for an updated
> version of 2009-3.
[...]
> Each RIR through their respective chosen policies and strategies may
> recover IPv4 address space which is under their administration and
> designate any such space for return to the IANA. Each RIR shall at
> quarterly intervals return any such designated address space to the IANA
> in aggregated blocks of /24 or larger, for inclusion in the recovered
> IPv4 pool.

Scott,

Let's parse that: Each RIR [...] may [...] designate any such space
for return to the IANA.

I object to the intentionally ambiguous and potentially dishonest use
of the word "may" here. Policy should not describe what we might or
might not do, it should describe what we will and won't do.

If the intention is to establish an IANA method for accepting returns
which we might or might not later authorize in some other ARIN policy,
try replacing "may" with something more precise like "is permitted but
not required to."

If the intention is that we in fact do return space to IANA as a
consequence of this policy then replace "may" with "will" and describe
the criteria for which space returned to ARIN will be subsequently be
returned to IANA.

Regards,
Bill Herrin


-- 
William D. Herrin ................ herrin at dirtside.com  bill at herrin.us
3005 Crane Dr. ...................... Web: <http://bill.herrin.us/>
Falls Church, VA 22042-3004