From: IN%"rre@weber.ucsd.edu" 10-SEP-1996 23:06:58.45 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This message was forwarded through the Red Rock Eater News Service (RRE). Send any replies to the original author, listed in the From: field below. You are welcome to send the message along to others but please do not use the "redirect" command. For information on RRE, including instructions for (un)subscribing, send an empty message to rre-help@weber.ucsd.edu =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 15:59:26 -0400 (EDT) From: Paul Evan Peters <paul@cni.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <cni-announce@cni.org> Subject: Digital Objects Identifiers Dear CNI-Announce subscribers: I thought that you would like to have the attached brought to your attention, especial so since: o it deals with a critical technical issue in the evolution of the networked information environment, and o involves the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), two organizations with which CNI collaborates from time to time, as well as o Reed Elsevier, Inc., the parent corporation of Elsevier Science B.V., a member of the CNI Task Force. Best, Paul Paul Evan Peters paul@cni.org Executive Director fax 202-872-0884 Coalition for Networked Information 202-296-5098 21 Dupont Circle ftp://ftp.cni.org/ Washington, DC 20036 gopher://gopher.cni.org:70/ USA http://www.cni.org/CNI.homepage.html CONTACT: Judith Platt: 202-232-3335, ext. 229 jplatt@publishers.org Washington, D.C. September 9, 1996 TEAM SELECTED TO DEVELOP DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER SYSTEM FOR PUBLISHING INDUSTRY The Association of American Publishers (AAP) today announced selection of the team that will develop a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system for use by the publishing industry. The team, comprising R.R. Bowker, a division of Reed Elsevier, Inc., and the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), was chosen following a competitive bidding process initiated last spring as part of AAP's all-out effort to promote development of systems for managing copyright in the digital environment. Copyright management is seen as the key to successful commercial use of the Internet by the publishing industry. The DOI project is the outgrowth of a year-long AAP initiative to identify the needs of the publishing industry to facilitate safe and successful commercial ventures on the Internet and in other networked environments. AAP's initial research revealed a fundamental need for a unique, unambiguous way to identify digital materials-- a type of "electronic license plate" for a "digital vehicle" traveling the information superhighway. The Digital Object Identifier system will serve that purpose. The Bowker/CNRI team will focus on three key areas during the first year: developing a numbering system for identifying digital objects created by publishers; creating an agency for assigning publisher numbers; and developing a network-based directory to link digital objects to their publisher. DOIs will be made accessible via a high-speed computer system developed by CNRI--a scalable, distributed system on the Internet, with open interfaces, allowing information about digital material to be retrieved almost instantaneously. R.R. Bowker will establish the agency for making publisher numbers and other related information available to any and all publishers. Since the DOI system uses open standards, publishers and other companies can build their own products and services based around DOIs. AAP President Nicholas Veliotes said that "In selecting the team to develop a DOI system, AAP is taking a major step forward in the search for viable, effective copyright management in the electronic environment. Our members see this as a top priority as the publishing industry positions itself for the new Century." Robert Badger (Springer Verlag NY), a member of AAP's Enabling Technologies Committee and head of its DOI task force, pointed out: "For people to buy and sell information on the Internet, the publishing community needs two things which this announcement sets in motion. First, we need a simple way to identify which piece of information is being purchased; that's what the number does. Second, we need an easy way for the reader to get current information about the digital object--and this system will accomplish that by directing the reader's question immediately to the right place in the publishing organization. It's more than just a Universal Product Code for information; it's a market-making mechanism." Robert Kahn, President of CNRI and a recognized pioneer in the development of the Internet, said "We are delighted that our technology was selected for this important application. It will provide a key component of the global information infrastructure and can serve as a model for information access across many sectors of the economy." R.R. Bowker's Publisher Peter Simon noted that "As the organization that runs the ISBN Agency in the United States, and the publisher of key tools for locating published materials (including the preeminent Books in Print database), we are very pleased to be contributing our experience and expertise to creating new standards for digital materials and facilitating commerce on the Internet for the publishing industry." The Association of American Publishers is the principal trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. Its members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, including general fiction and non-fiction, poetry, children's books, textbooks, Bibles, reference works, scientific, medical, technical, professional, and scholarly books and journals, and a range of educational materials for the elementary, secondary, postsecondary and professional markets. AAP members also produce computer software and electronic products and services, including online databases and CD-ROM. Among AAP's primary concerns is the protection of intellectual property rights at home and abroad, in all media. R.R. Bowker, a division of Reed Elsevier, Inc., is one of the foremost U.S. bibliographic publishers, providing reference information to libraries, booksellers, and publishers since 1872. Its Books in Print database is currently available in hard copy, CD-ROM, tape & site license, and online. In addition, Bowker is the independent agent in the U.S. for the International ISBN and SAN systems. The ISBN is an identification system for books and other media which allows for order processing by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors. DOI project contact at Bowker is Maureen Adamson, Vice President, Business Development--(908) 665-2856; madamson@reedref.com. The Corporation for National Research Initiatives is an internationally recognized leader in information technology research and development, with particular strength in networking, large-scale information systems, and digital object infrastructure. A non-profit organization formed in 1986 to foster research and development for a national information infrastructure, CNRI has, since its inception, been actively engaged in the establishment of open, non-proprietary technological approaches for networked systems. DOI project contact at CNRI is Constance McLindon, Director, System Deployment--(703) 620-8990; mclindon@cnri.reston.va.us.