Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Private International Law (ACPIL); Study Group on Electronic Commerce Meeting Notice

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice No. 2659]

Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Private International

Law (ACPIL); Study Group on Electronic Commerce Meeting Notice

The Department of Commerce and the Department of State's Advisory

Committee Study Group on Electronic Commerce will cosponsor a meeting

Monday, December 15 in Washington, DC, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at

the Department of Commerce. The purpose of the meeting is to review

international and national developments concerning computer-based

signature and message integrity systems, and consider possible

approaches to international rules and related domestic concerns. In

particular, consideration will be given to meetings on these and

related topics at the United Nations Commission on International Trade

Law (UNCITRAL), the OECD and other international bodies.

The Advisory Committee will also consider, where relevant, recent

developments at the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform

State Laws (NCCUSL), legislative initiatives by states within the U.S.,

and programs of various federal agencies.

Issues that may be reviewed by the Advisory Committee include, but

are not limited to, prior U.S. views encouraging international bodies

to examine all forms of electronic signatures, and to encompass both

regulated/licensed systems as well as unregulated private sector

systems; whether rules for signature systems should distinguish between

commercial and consumer transactions; possible rules on risk

allocation, attribution and reliance; whether third party assurance

providers, such as certifying authorities, should have to meet minimum

levels of assurance; what role information security standards should

play in this process; whether rules are needed on incorporation by

reference; what types of rules for cross-certification between

different countries are feasible; whether agreement should be sought on

underlying rules for accreditation, and if so, in what international

bodies, and other related issues. Jurisdictional issues will also be

discussed as appropriate.

Participants may wish to review the recently completed UNCITRAL

Model Law on Electronic Commerce, available with a Guide to Enactment

from U,N. document outlets as Doc. V.97-22269, May 1997, or from the

Office of the Legal Adviser at the address below, which covers the

legal effect and validity of computer messages in commercial

transactions; functional equivalents of signatures, writing, etc.;

attribution of messages; time and place where communications are deemed

to have taken place, and other matters.

The meeting is open to the public up to the capacity of the meeting

room, and members of the public may participate subject to rulings of

the Chair. The meeting will be held at the Department of Commerce in

Conference Room 5855; entry to the Commerce Department should be

through the main entrance on 14th Street between Constitution and

Pennsylvania Avenues. Participants should register in advance since

space may be limited. Please advise either the Office of Legal Adviser

(L/PIL) at the State Department by calling Rosie Gonzales at (202) 776-

8420 or by fax 776-8482, or e-mail at: [email protected]., or Brian

Hengesbaugh at the Commerce Department, Office of Chief Counsel for

International Commerce, (202) 482-4602 or fax (202) 482-4076, of your

name and government agency identification, or affiliation and address,

as well as telephone and fax number, and e-mail if available.

Members of the public who cannot attend are welcome to request

available documentation and to comment in writing on this topic,

including any recommendations for possible U.S. positions to be put

forward at international meetings on electronic signatures. For

documentation or additional information contact Harold Burman at the

State Department Office indicated above. The mailing address is: Office

of the Legal Adviser, Suite 355

[[Page 63740]]

South Building, 2430 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037-2800.

Harold S. Burman,

Executive Director, Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Private

International Law.

[FR Doc. 97-31662 Filed 12-1-97; 8:45 am]

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