[ebxml-cppa] Status element

[Martin W Sachs <mwsachs@us.ibm.com>]

The current version of the CPPA spec states, regarding the value of the
value attribute of the status element (line 3015):

     "signed", meaning that the CPA has been "signed" by the Parties...

I believe that this is incorrect.  The value of the value attribute must be
set to "signed" just before the first party signs.  It cannot be modified
after that without invalidating the first party's signature. I suggest
changing the statement to:

     "signed", meaning that the first Party has signed the CPA...

I also suggest adding a note clarifying why the value has to be set to
"signed" when the first party signs.  For example:

     NOTE:  The value fo the value attribute has to be set to "signed" just
before the first party signs.  It cannot be changed after the first party
signs because that would
    invalidate the signature.

Alternatively, we could change the specification to require that the Status
element be outside the scope of the first Party's signature. However, that
is a functional change which might be inappropriate during the approval
process.

Regards,
Marty



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Martin W. Sachs
IBM T. J. Watson Research Center
P. O. B. 704
Yorktown Hts, NY 10598
914-784-7287;  IBM tie line 863-7287
Notes address:  Martin W Sachs/Watson/IBM
Internet address:  mwsachs @ us.ibm.com
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