The Reclamation Pool will be divided on CIDR boundaries
and distributed evenly to all eligible RIRs. Any

So each time when, say ARIN, pushes the button for the policy,
and gets a /19, the other 4 RIRs will each get a /19 as
well? Even if they don't need it? This seems an unusual method
of address space distribution - maybe we should have thought
about this at the start of IPv4 20+ years ago. ;-)

It also means that the RIRs who have actually implemented
runout policies (eg APNIC) for the final /8 will start
stockpiling extra address space. Remind me what the incentive
was for returning unused address space to IANA? This seems like
a contradiction.

Ya know, that's not all that different from dividing the last
five IANA /8s evenly. And that's triggered when only 1 RIR
has demonstrated need while the other 4 have address space. :)

In your example, only when an RIR is considered to have exhausted
its address space will it be considered to be eligible for the
/19. So if an RIR doesn't need the space, they won't get it.

I think the real scenario will be more along the lines of:

IANA runs out, last 5 /8s go to RIRs.

RIR A runs out of their remaining space.

RIR A pushes the button (as you called it above)

RIR A receives full reclamation pool

RIR B runs out, pushes button

RIR C runs out, pushes button

Some amount of space is returned to IANA

Returned space is divided evenly between B and C

RIRs A, B, and C run out and push button.

RIR D runs out and pushes button.

RIR E runs out and pushes button.

The world transitions to IPv6.

IPv4 space starts flying in to IANA and is distributed evenly

The exact specifics may vary and the timeline of the above is

left to the imagination of the reader. However, the point is that

I think there will only be one or two rounds of returned space

effected by this policy and the first round will be winner take

all for the first RIR to exhaust their address space.

The way the policy is currently worded, any RIR which has

a set-aside policy or a rationing policy for the last /8 will

be disadvantaged compared to RIRs which have no such

5.6 No Transfer Rights

    Address space assigned from the Reclamation Pool may be
    transferred if there is either an ICANN Board ratified
    global policy or globally coordinated RIR policy
    specifically written to deal with transfers whether
    inter-RIR or from one entity to another. Transfers must
    meet the requirements of such a policy. In the absence
    of such a policy, no transfers of any kind related to
    address space allocated or assigned from the reclamation
    pool is allowed.

The reason for banning transfers is...?

In the case of an RIR with a transfer policy that does not require

a needs-based justification, this becomes a giant sucking hole

through which all addresses can drain:

Party A has need, gets space from RIR.

Party A sells space to party B which has no need, just money.

Party A again has need, gets more space from RIR.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Party B becomes very wealthy selling all that IANA reclaimed

space, rewards party A with nice fat comissions, sells assets

of party A to someone for additional profit when reclamation

pool appears to be permanently depleted.

Thus, this policy places limitations on the transfer of space

obtained through this policy. It does not preclude APNIC

members from transferring space obtained through other