[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21821-21822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8487]


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POSTAL SERVICE


Customized Postage

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of authorization of market test for Customized Postage.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service(TM) provides notice of its 
intention to resume testing of the concept of Customized Postage for a 
period of one year commencing 20 calendar days from the date of 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. PC Postage([reg]) 
is a method of providing evidence of pre-payment of United States 
postage using a personal computer and printer and Internet access to an 
authorized PC Postage provider infrastructure approved by the Postal 
Service under 39 CFR part 501. Like postage meters, PC Postage services 
facilitate customer access to postage payment and use of the mail. PC 
Postage and postage meter products that print digitally generated 
barcode indicia contain human readable and machine readable elements 
that facilitate mail processing and counterfeit detection due to 
identification enabling characteristics. The typical indicia design 
consists of two elements: a postage block and a distinctly separate 
block typically called an ``ad plate.'' The historical use of ad plates 
consists of printed advertising messages authorized, enabled, and 
controlled by a Postal Service approved postage meter or PC Postage 
provider. Customized Postage differs from conventional PC Postage in 
two respects: First, it utilizes the ``ad plate'' area to print a 
digital, graphic image. The image may be one selected from a 
``library'' of images provided by the authorized PC Postage provider or 
a customer supplied image that meets acceptance criteria established by 
the PC Postage provider; and, second, instead of the customer printing 
the selected image on a personal computer the images are printed by the 
Customized Postage provider under controlled conditions and the 
finished product is mailed to the customer. With respect to postage 
meter ad plates the Postal Service will require evaluation and approval 
of any process established by an authorized provider which results in 
the printing of a graphic ``ad plate.''

DATES: This notice is effective April 27, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manager of Postage Technology 
Management, at 703-292-3691 or by fax at 703-292-4073.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 2004, the Postal Service authorized 
a limited market test of the first exemplar of Customized Postage. The 
test was concluded on September 30, 2004.
    The Postal Service is interested in obtaining additional knowledge 
regarding the market for Customized Postage, and, therefore, is 
authorizing an additional market test of Customized Postage concepts. 
By this notice, the Postal Service invites interested parties to submit 
proposed concepts for consideration.
    While each concept will be evaluated on its own merits, particular 
conditions may be required and agreed to by the Postal Service and the 
Customized Postage provider regarding the testing of that concept. The 
following conditions will be applied in common to all concepts:
    1. The provider must be an authorized PC Postage provider, 
authorized postage meter manufacturer or distributor, or a company 
affiliated with an authorized postage provider under conditions 
respecting postage revenue security approved by the Postal Service in 
accordance with 39 CFR part 501.1 and subject to all procedures and 
regulations set forth throughout 39 CFR Chapter 501.
    2. The Customized Postage indicia and other printed matter must 
meet all Postal Service requirements respecting placement on a mail 
piece, readability, avoidance of interference with and facilitation of 
mail processing, and identification of fraudulent indicia, as well as 
all Postal Service regulations pertaining to PC Postage products and 
services.
    3. The provider must maintain an image control process which 
prevents the distribution of images that could harm the public image of 
the Postal Service in accordance with 39 CFR 501.6(g) and 501.23(d) and 
any subsequent incorporation of requirements specific to the evolving 
concept of Customized Postage.
    4. Images which consist of notices or advertisements may not be 
included in Customized Postage produced during the test.
    5. The test will be limited to full rate First-Class Mail[supreg], 
Priority Mail[supreg] and Express Mail[supreg] services only.
    6. The provider must agree that it has obtained all intellectual 
property licenses necessary to provide the approved service and that it 
will reimburse the Postal Service for any costs and damages the Postal 
Service may incur as a result of the provider's failure to honor this 
representation.
    7. The provider must agree that the Postal Service has not 
exercised 28 U.S.C. 1498 with respect to the approved Customized 
Postage product.

[[Page 21822]]

    8. The provider must design its Customized Postage indicia in a 
manner approved by the Postal Service, which reduces the likelihood 
that the public will be misled into believing that the product image 
originated with the Postal Service.
    9. The Postal Service may suspend or cancel without prior notice 
and without liability for any costs incurred or losses sustained by a 
provider or customer, the approval of any customer as a test 
participant, or the Customized Postage test itself, in the event there 
is sufficient cause to believe that the test presents unacceptable risk 
to Postal Service revenues, degradation of the ability of the Postal 
Service to process or deliver mail produced by the test participants, 
an assessment that continuation of the test may expose the Postal 
Service or its customers to legal liability, or an assessment that 
continuation of the test will cause public or political embarrassment 
or harm to the Postal Service in any way.
    10. The Postal Service will require approved providers of 
Customized Postage to pay a fee to defray the costs of the Postal 
Service in testing and evaluating Customized Postage.
    11. Additional conditions and requirements may be set forth in 
individual product test approval letters.
    Persons interested in submitting proposed Customized PC Postage 
concepts should contact: Manager, Postage Technology Management, U.S. 
Postal Service, 1735 North Lynn Street, Room 5011, Arlington, VA 22209-
6030; (703) 292-3590 (Telephone); (703) 292-4073 (Fax); [email protected].

Neva Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 05-8487 Filed 4-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P