[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 10419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5355]


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POSTAL SERVICE


Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) Product Definition

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of USPS potential IBIP PC Postage product classification 
with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service has published a set of draft specifications 
for the Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP). Current versions of 
the draft specifications are:

IBIP Interim Product Submission Procedures dated January 7, 1997
IBIP Open System Indicia Specification dated July 23, 1997
IBIP Open System PSD Specification dated July 23, 1997
IBIP Open System Host Specification dated October 9, 1996
IBIP Key Management Plan dated April 25, 1997

    As a result of comments received on the above draft specifications, 
and previous versions, in addition to other inquiries, the following 
information is provided regarding various design approaches for 
proposed IBIP PC Postage products:
    The Postal Service recognizes that while the current IBIP 
specifications define a relatively specific implementation of an IBIP 
PC Postage product in regard to the physical location of the PSD, there 
are potential alternative approaches that may offer equally or greater 
secure solutions. As such, the Postal Service envisions potential IBIP 
PC Postage products being classified into four major categories:

(1) Standalone system products.
(2) Local Area Network (LAN) system products.
(3) Wide Area Network (WAN) system products.
(4) Hybrid system products.

    A ``Standalone'' system PC Postage product is one which is designed 
upon the current IBIP specifications approach, particularly as it 
relates to the location of the IBIP PSD relative to the IBIP Host 
system. A ``LAN'' system PC Postage product operates on a local area 
network, and a ``WAN'' system PC Postage product operates across wide 
area networks with potential alternative approaches to IBIP PSD 
locations relative to the IBIP Host system. A ``Hybrid'' system is any 
proposed PC Postage product approach that substantially departs from 
the approach implied in the IBIP PSD specification in regard to 
location(s) of cryptography based functions. The Postal Service intends 
to classify IBIP Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) and products submitted 
for consideration or evaluation into these four categories. PC Postage 
CONOPs or products classified as LAN, WAN, or Hybrid may be subject to 
measurement against additional baseline specifications as deemed 
appropriate to ensure that overall product security is equal to or 
greater than that envisioned with the Standalone product approach.
    The Postal Service also seeks comments on intellectual property 
issues raised by IBIP specifications, policy, and procedures if adopted 
in present form. If an intellectual property issue includes patents or 
patent applications covering any implementations of the specifications, 
the comment should include a listing of such patents and applications 
and the license terms available for such patents and applications.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the specifications noted above may be obtained 
from Edmund Zelickman, United States Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Room 1P-801, Washington, DC 20260-2444. Copies of all 
written comments may be inspected, by appointment, between 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, at the above address.

DATES: All written comments must be received on or before May 4, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edmund Zelickman at (202) 268-3940.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 98-5355 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-M