[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 160 (Friday, August 16, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 42557-42558] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-20865] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 233 Addition of Commercial Espionage to Mail Cover Regulations AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This final rule amends the United States Postal Service's national security mail cover regulations to add commercial espionage by foreign sources as an activity for which national security mail covers may be authorized. This change is effected by expanding the definition of ``protection of the national security'' found at 39 CFR 233.3(c)(9) to include commercial espionage. EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry J. Bauman, Counsel, Postal Inspection Service, (202) 268-4415. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 10, 1996, the Postal Service published in the Federal Register (61 FR 21404) a proposed rule to amend its national security mail cover regulations to add commercial espionage and a request for comments on the proposed rule. No comments were received by the closing date of June 10, 1996. The Postal Service therefore adopts the rule below as originally published. Postal Service regulations on mail covers are published in Title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at section 233. Paragraph (c)(9) of Sec. 233.3 currently defines ``protection of the national security'' as ``actual or potential threats to the security of the United States of America by a foreign power or its agents.'' This definition is expanded to include commercial espionage. Commercial espionage by foreign sources has become an increasing threat to the economic well-being and ability of the United States to compete in the international market. For the purposes of this revision, ``commercial espionage'' is defined as either ``economic espionage'' or ``industrial espionage.'' According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) white paper, FBI Strategy to Address the Problem of Economic Espionage and Industrial Espionage (Washington, DC: FBI Headquarters, undated), ``economic espionage'' is ``government- directed, sponsored, or coordinated intelligence activity, which may or may not constitute violation of the law, conducted for the purpose of enhancing that country's or another country's economic competitiveness by the use of the information by the foreign government or by providing it to a foreign business entity thereby giving that entity a competitive advantage in the marketplace.'' ``Industrial espionage'' is defined by the FBI as ``individual or private business entity sponsorship or coordination of intelligence activity conducted for the purpose of enhancing a private business and its competitive advantage in the marketplace, which is a violation of law.'' Revising the Postal Service's national security mail cover regulations to include commercial espionage will enhance the ability of law enforcement to protect national security. The Postal Service has determined that this change in its regulations is a matter of internal practice and procedure that will not substantially affect the rights or obligations of private parties. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 233 Administrative practice and procedures, Banks and banking, Credit, Crime, Law enforcement, Postal Service, Privacy, Seizure and forfeiture. Accordingly, 39 CFR 233 is amended as set forth below. PART 233--INSPECTION SERVICE/INSPECTOR GENERAL AUTHORITY 1. The authority citation for part 233 continues to read as follows: Authority: 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 402, 403, 404, 406, 410, 411, 3005(e)(1); 12 U.S.C. 3401-3422; 18 U.S.C. 981, 1956, 1957, 2254, 3061; 21 U.S.C. 881; Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (Pub. L. No. 95-452, as amended), 5 U.S.C. App.3. 2. Paragraph (c)(9) of Sec. 233.3 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 233.3 Mail covers. * * * * * (c) * * * (9) Protection of the national security means to protect the United States from any of the following actual or potential threats to its security by a foreign power or its agents: (i) An attack or other grave, hostile act; (ii) Sabotage, or international terrorism; or [[Page 42558]] (iii) Clandestine intelligence activities, including commercial espionage. * * * * * Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 96-20865 Filed 8-15-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P