[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63739-63740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31662]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice No. 2659]


Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Private International 
Law (ACPIL); Study Group on Electronic Commerce Meeting Notice

    The Department of Commerce and the Department of State's Advisory 
Committee Study Group on Electronic Commerce will cosponsor a meeting 
Monday, December 15 in Washington, DC, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 
the Department of Commerce. The purpose of the meeting is to review 
international and national developments concerning computer-based 
signature and message integrity systems, and consider possible 
approaches to international rules and related domestic concerns. In 
particular, consideration will be given to meetings on these and 
related topics at the United Nations Commission on International Trade 
Law (UNCITRAL), the OECD and other international bodies.
    The Advisory Committee will also consider, where relevant, recent 
developments at the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform 
State Laws (NCCUSL), legislative initiatives by states within the U.S., 
and programs of various federal agencies.
    Issues that may be reviewed by the Advisory Committee include, but 
are not limited to, prior U.S. views encouraging international bodies 
to examine all forms of electronic signatures, and to encompass both 
regulated/licensed systems as well as unregulated private sector 
systems; whether rules for signature systems should distinguish between 
commercial and consumer transactions; possible rules on risk 
allocation, attribution and reliance; whether third party assurance 
providers, such as certifying authorities, should have to meet minimum 
levels of assurance; what role information security standards should 
play in this process; whether rules are needed on incorporation by 
reference; what types of rules for cross-certification between 
different countries are feasible; whether agreement should be sought on 
underlying rules for accreditation, and if so, in what international 
bodies, and other related issues. Jurisdictional issues will also be 
discussed as appropriate.
    Participants may wish to review the recently completed UNCITRAL 
Model Law on Electronic Commerce, available with a Guide to Enactment 
from U,N. document outlets as Doc. V.97-22269, May 1997, or from the 
Office of the Legal Adviser at the address below, which covers the 
legal effect and validity of computer messages in commercial 
transactions; functional equivalents of signatures, writing, etc.; 
attribution of messages; time and place where communications are deemed 
to have taken place, and other matters.
    The meeting is open to the public up to the capacity of the meeting 
room, and members of the public may participate subject to rulings of 
the Chair. The meeting will be held at the Department of Commerce in 
Conference Room 5855; entry to the Commerce Department should be 
through the main entrance on 14th Street between Constitution and 
Pennsylvania Avenues. Participants should register in advance since 
space may be limited. Please advise either the Office of Legal Adviser 
(L/PIL) at the State Department by calling Rosie Gonzales at (202) 776-
8420 or by fax 776-8482, or e-mail at: [email protected]., or Brian 
Hengesbaugh at the Commerce Department, Office of Chief Counsel for 
International Commerce, (202) 482-4602 or fax (202) 482-4076, of your 
name and government agency identification, or affiliation and address, 
as well as telephone and fax number, and e-mail if available.
    Members of the public who cannot attend are welcome to request 
available documentation and to comment in writing on this topic, 
including any recommendations for possible U.S. positions to be put 
forward at international meetings on electronic signatures. For 
documentation or additional information contact Harold Burman at the 
State Department Office indicated above. The mailing address is: Office 
of the Legal Adviser, Suite 355

[[Page 63740]]

South Building, 2430 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037-2800.
Harold S. Burman,
Executive Director, Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Private 
International Law.
[FR Doc. 97-31662 Filed 12-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-08-M