<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">William,<br><br><div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite">On May 13, 2022, at 2:11 AM, William Weber via db-wg <db-wg@ripe.net> wrote:</blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" role="presentation" style="table-layout:fixed"><tbody><tr><td width="100%" valign="top" style="border-collapse:collapse;padding:0px"><div dir="auto" style="color:rgb(43,46,47);font-family:"Lucida Sans Unicode","Lucida Grande",Tahoma,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:22px;margin:15px 0px"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:22px;margin:15px 0px">I am aware the the X* series of codes is reserved and not permanently assigned, however UN Security Council resolution 1244/99 (see 6) mandates the use binding to all UN members.</p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></blockquote><br><div>The “X*” series is not reserved, they are (permanently) designated for “user-assigned” use. Think 10/8. Anyone (including RIPE) can use them for whatever purpose they so choose, just as anyone can use 10/8. Of course, your use and my use might conflict, but that’s for us to work out between us (with the obvious scaling implications that suggests).</div><div><br></div><div>FYI, EU is different in that it is “exceptionally reserved”. It is one of a number of ISO-3166 codes that have that status (including UK, AC, DG, SU, and a few others). AP is a bit weird (IMHO) in that ISO-3166 Maintenance Agency has stated that they will not use the code “at the present stage.” I gather that’s an informal agreement between ISO-3166/MA and WIPO. I’ve no clue what that means for the long-term status of that code.</div><div><br></div><div>The real question is what would break if RIPE chooses to use a user assigned code in their database. I’ve no idea, but to be honest, I’m a bit uncomfortable with the precedent it might set (and political foodfight it might generate given the UN Statistical Agency hasn’t seen fit to recommend the creation of an actual ISO-3166 code). However, I doubt my comfort matters.</div><div><br></div><div>As far as I can tell, your reference to UN Security Council resolution 1244/99 is irrelevant, particularly as it (appropriately, given the status of the ISO-3166 code) doesn’t mention XK. </div><div><br></div><div>FWIW, Jaap Akkerhuis, a person well known to many on this list, is extremely well-versed in the world of ISO-3166 and could probably provide any info you might need related to the use of ISO-3166 codes.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards,</div><div>-drc</div><div><br></div></body></html>