[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 209 (Monday, October 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55676-55677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27349]


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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.

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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