[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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