[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 47999-48000] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-23211] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice No. 2440] Advisory Committee on Private International Law; Meeting of Study Group on Electronic Commerce The Study Group on Electronic Commerce will hold its next meeting from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18 in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of the meeting will be to review legal issues and possible standards or guidelines concerning the establishment of electronic registries to facilitate the recording of interests in moveable commercial property involved in international transactions. The need for this review arises from the work on draft multilateral treaties involving international commercial finance at two international organizations, the United Nations commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT). The United States is actively participating in both projects. Preliminary decisions may now need to be taken in both organizations whether to base their respective treaties on registry systems, which will involve issues similar to those dealt with under the Uniform Commercial Code, as well as registry systems involving vessels, certain commodities, etc. In addition, both organizations will need to consider whether such registries would be computer-based, and in what manner systems and standards in different countries can be harmonized for purposes of transactions covered by each respective treaty. The establishment of one or more internationally-based registry systems will also need to be considered, which could serve to establish or monitor standards, provide coordination and linkage with nationally-based systems, or provide direct registry services. In addition, documents are available on the two multilateral commercial law treaty projects from the office designated below; the UNCITRAL project involves international rules for assignment of accounts receivable; the [[Page 48000]] UNIDROIT project involves rules for international secured interests for mobile equipment. Requesters may also be interested in the recently completed UNCITRAL rules on electronic commerce, which cover the legal effect and validity of computer messages in commercial transactions, functional equivalents of signatures, writings, etc., attribution of messages, time and place where communications are deemed to have taken place, and other matters. The meeting of the Advisory Committee Study Group is open to the public up to the capacity of the meeting room. Members of the public who cannot attend are welcome to comment on the referenced documents, including any recommendations for possible U.S. positions on these matters. The meeting will take place at the Southern Methodist University School of Law, 3315 Daniels Avenue, Dallas, Texas in the Thomas Seminar Room at Storey Hall. Persons who expect to attend should advise either the Office of the Legal Adviser (L/PIL), Suite 357 South Building, 2430 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037-2800, fax (202) 776- 8482 or Professor Peter Winship at SMU at (214) 768-2575 or by fax (214) 768-4330. Documents can be requested from the Office of the Legal Adviser; for further information please contact Harold S. Burman of that office or Professor Winship. Harold S. Burman, Advisory Committee, Executive Director. [FR Doc. 96-23211 Filed 9-10-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-10-M