[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3920]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 23, 1994]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Classification of Computer-Readable Periodical Publications
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service seeks comments from interested parties
concerning the possible admissibility of periodicals produced on
electronic media into second-class mail. This request for comments is
prompted by the increasing usage of these electronic media, and may
lead to a change in the requirement that second-class mail be formed of
printed sheets.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 11, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments to the Manager, Publications, USPS
Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20260-2409.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lyn E. Seidler, (202) 268-2261.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service has noted that a number
of publications which currently have second-class mailing privileges
are also available to subscribers in alternate media, such as floppy
diskettes and CD-ROMs. These alternate media, even if containing
exactly the same information that is available in the paper version of
the second-class publication, are not currently eligible for second-
class mailing privileges because the Postal Service has interpreted the
requirement that ``second-class must be formed of printed sheets'' to
exclude this material. (See section 200.0103 of the Domestic Mail
Classification Schedule, reprinted in 39 CFR part 3001, subpart C,
appendix A.) While current usage of these alternate media appears to be
limited, it is expected that future usage will increase. It is also
expected that new types of information not available in traditional
second-class publications (e.g., videos or musical accompaniment) will
become available in these alternate media, and that new ways of
presenting and using this information may make simple analogies to
traditional second-class publications more difficult.
The Postal Service believes it might be useful at this time to
review the printed sheet requirement pertaining to the mailing of
second-class publications and other aspects of the classification of
non-print media. Commenters should keep in mind that the other
requirements for second-class matter have not been identified for
reconsideration at this time. These requirements include that the
matter must be originated and published for the purpose of
disseminating information of a public character or devoted to
literature, the sciences, art or some special industry; that it must be
issued at stated intervals no less than four times per year; that there
be limited advertising in issues; and that there be a list of
subscribers/requesters, as applicable.
Options available for the classification of non-print media
include, but are not limited to:
1. Allowing publications in non-printed sheet formats to be mailed
at second-class rates, if they meet all other current requirements of
second class.
2. Requiring matter not on printed sheets to be mailed at non-
second class rates, such as first-, third-, or fourth-class mail.
3. Allowing only some material, in highly specific formats (such as
100% non-advertising content), to be eligible for second-class rates.
4. Establishing an entirely new classification (class, subclass or
rate category) to meet the service and pricing needs of mailers of non-
printed sheet publications.
Therefore, in view of the foregoing, the Postal Service requests
from interested parties, comments and proposals on the following
subjects:
1. How are publications on diskette or CD-ROM currently mailed or
distributed (e.g., via first-class mail, third-class mail, alternate
delivery services, etc.)?
2. Should publications in non-printed sheet formats be eligible for
second-class?
a. Would allowing formats other than printed paper sheets maintain
the integrity of second-class?
b. Should computer diskettes and CD-ROMs be considered ``printed
sheets?''
c. If formats other than printed sheets are to be allowed, should
these formats be limited to computer diskettes and CD-ROMS, or should
other formats be eligible? What would these other formats be?
d. If additional formats are to be eligible, would the material
have to meet the other existing criteria for second-class eligibility,
such as periodicity?
e. Should second-class eligibility be limited to media that contain
information nearly identical to the paper-based issues already eligible
for second class? For example, should publications containing audio or
video segments be excluded? If they are not to be excluded, how are
they to be measured for postage computation purposes? How much or what
kind of variance between the paper and non-paper formats would be
appropriate?
f. If additional formats are allowed, there may be an impact,
either positive or negative, on postal handling and administrative
costs, and subsequently, rates. Therefore, should there be additional
machinability and/or preparation requirements for the new formats?
g. How should the Postal Service handle the determination and
verification of advertising percentage, postage, weight, and other
factors that are physically measurable with printed sheets? Given
industry trends, is it likely that publications in additional formats
will evolve in such a way as to make both editorial and advertising
content increasingly difficult to measure?
h. Should mixed formats be allowed in a mailing (e.g., paper and
CD-ROM)?
3. If any commenter believes that the Postal Service should request
a recommended decision from the Postal Rate Commission to establish a
new classification (class, subclass or rate category) that would
include materials in electronic formats that may or may not meet the
current requirements for second-class publications, such as periodicity
or a subscriber/requester list, the commenter is asked to also comment
on the following:
a. If a new rate category were to be established, what are the
current and anticipated future rate and service requirements for
materials in additional formats? For example, within how many days of
issue do they need to be delivered locally, nationally, etc.?
b. What should be eligible for this new classification? Should
eligibility be limited to publications, or should other items in
electronic format be included?
c. Should this classification be a new class, subclass or rate
category:
The Postal Service will evaluate the comments and proposals
received in response to this notice and issue a notice of proposed
rulemaking if it determines that such action is appropriate.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 94-3920 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-M