Re: Notary services requirements -- directions?

[Arshad Noor <arshad.noor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Seems to me, the list is struggling with two different issues:

1) the protocols and standards associated with verifying the
   authenticity of a document over very long periods; and

2) the potential use of such technology to maintain the legal
   validity of documents that were presumably electronically
   notarized by human notaries.

I believe it is possible for the WG to achieve #1 without being
concerned about #2.  If specific business groups (Notaries) wish
to create legal bindings around the technical protocols, so be it.
The technical standards should support that outcome without being
concerned about what human notaries do - value-added integrators,
software & hardware vendors will worry about that using the
standards & protocols established by this WG.

Since legitimate businesses - even outside the notarial areas -
will have use for such technology, it behooves this group to
maintain focus on #1 without being concerned about #2.

I would recommend the use of something along the lines of
"Long-term Data Validation Protocol" to remain industry-neutral.

Arshad Noor
StrongAuth, Inc.

Richard Hansberger wrote:
> Respectfully, I'll disagree with the determination that "notary service" is
> an appropriate term. Here in the states, we went through a similar debate
> when major CAs and others offered "digital notary services" in the wake of
> passage of the Federal "E-Sign" Act. Personally, I think it had a
> detrimental effect overall and all these "services" have since closed up
> shop or been renamed, but that's just my opinion.
>
> What Notaries do, in other words, has little to do with the certification
> that a document is a true and original copy. Notaries witness signings, take
> oaths and affirmations, and perform other in-person kinds of functions. I
> guess I'm just sensitive to the appropriation of the word as an adjective.
> Notary is a noun;-)
>
> Regardless, if the majority feels it is appropriate then I'll oblige and say
> no more.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Richard J. Hansberger
> Director of eNotarization
> National Notary Association
> 818-739-4027