NOTE: COMMENTS REGARDING ANY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE MUST BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS INDICATED IN THE DOCUMENT. ANY COMMENTS ON THE RAPID INFORMATION BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM (RIBBS) ABOUT ANY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES WILL NOT BE USED OR CONSIDERED IN THE COURSE OF ANY RULE MAKING. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================================== [Federal Register: October 28, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 209)] [Notices] [Page 55676-55677] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE Specifications for Information Based Indicia Program ``Host Systems'' AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Notice of proposed IBIP Host System specification with request for comments and announcement of IBIP Technology Symposium. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Historically, postage meters have been mechanical and electromechanical devices that (1) maintain through mechanical or electronic ``registers'' (postal security devices) an account of all postage printed and the remaining balance of prepaid postage, and (2) print postage indicia that are accepted by the Postal Service as evidence of the prepayment of postage. Two proposed specifications have been published on these subjects, and are entitled ``Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) Postal Security Device (PSD) Specification [Draft]'' and ``Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) Indicium Specification [Draft].'' (See Federal Register notices Vol. 61, No. 128, Tuesday, July 2, 1996, and Vol. 61, No. 136, Monday, July 15, 1996.) The proposed IBIP Host System specification is another specification document intended to provide technical information relevant to the development and production of IBI products. The U.S. Postal Service is seeking comments on this specification. The Postal Service also seeks comments on intellectual property issues raised by the IBIP Host System specification if adopted in present form. If an intellectual property issue includes patents or patent applications covering any implementations of the specification, the comments should include a listing of such patents and applications and the license terms available for such patents and applications. Also, the Postal Service will be hosting a technology symposium at the Booz-Allen & Hamilton conference [[Page 55677]] Center, 8283 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA on November 25-26, 1996. The purpose of the technology symposium will be to expand the Postal Service's perspective of IBIP by including presentations from the public. Focus areas for the symposium include: indicium symbology, indicium printing, indicium scanning, and cryptography. Vendors are invited to host ``demonstration/consultation areas'' during the symposium. DATES: Comments on the IBIP Host System specification will be accepted until January 27, 1997. Comments addressing intellectual property issues must be received on or before Dec. 24, 1996. Reservations to attend the IBIP technology symposium may be made by calling Terry Goss at (202) 268-3757 or Gloria Valcin at (202) 268- 5586. Reservations for attendance may be made until November 21; however, we encourage early registration as seating is limited. Reservations for ``demonstration/consultation areas'' at the symposium may be made by calling Katrina Snow at (703) 902-5325. Reservations for vendor space for ``demonstration/consultation areas'' may be made until November 15, based on space availability. ADDRESSES: Copies of the IBIP Host System Specification may be obtained from: Terry Goss, United States Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 8430, Washington, DC 20260-6807. Mail or deliver written comments on the IBIP Host System specification to: Manager, Retail Systems and Equipment, United States Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 8430, Washington, DC 20260-6807. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Goss: (202) 268-3757. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There are approximately 1.5 million postage meters in use in the United States which collectively account for approximately $20 billion in postal revenue annually. The manufacture and use of postage meters is governed by Postal Service regulations (see 39 CFR Part 501; Domestic Mail Manual P030). For several years USPS has been actively proposing a solution of the problem of inadequate postage meter security. To respond to the threat of fraudulent use of meters by physical tampering, USPS intends to decertify and remove from the market, in risk-driven phases, all postage meters using mechanical registers. Another problem USPS has faced is that currently available meter indicia are susceptible to counterfeiting. The Postal Service is exploring using current technology special purpose units such as computers and independent printers to provide prepaid postage. The Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) is a Postal Service initiative supporting the development and implementation of a new form of postage indicia. USPS envisions that the new indicium standard may eventually support new or existing products and services. Specific products and services have not been determined. An ``IBIP Indicium'' substitutes for a postage stamp or a postage meter imprint as evidence of the fact that postage has been paid on mailpieces. An ``IBIP Postal Security Device'' provides cryptographic signature, financial accounting, indicium creation, device authorization, and audit functions. An ``IBIP Host System'' provides the interface between functions performed by the IBIP Postal Security Device and the IBIP Indicium. The goal for IBIP is to provide an environment in which customers can apply postage through new technologies that improve postal revenue security. The IBIP indicia is expected eventually to replace all metered postage imprints that rely on letter press printing technology. This requires a new form of postage indicia and the adoption of standards to facilitate industry investment and product development. It is emphasized that this proposed standard is being published for comments and is subject to final definition. Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. Secs. 553 (b), (c)) regarding proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. Sec. 410 (a), the Postal Service invites public comments on the proposed specifications. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 96-27349 Filed 10-25-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P