[ebxml-cppa-negot] negotiability of BPSS instance document.

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

We have some inconsistencies with regard to what is negotiable about the
BPSS instance document.

In section 5.2, it states that two partners can negotiate over which BPSS
instance document to use.

In 10.7, it states that the version of a BPSS instance document is
negotiable

In section 10.2, it now says (in response to a comment on the
last-distributed version of the specification): "Two prospective trading
partners SHOULD agree on the same BPSS instance document and assignment of
roles before beginning to negotiate the CPA."

We need to resolve the inconsistency.  Possibilities:

1. Put any negotiation about BPSS out beyond version 1.  For this I would
remove the statements in 5.2 and 10.7 and change the SHOULD to SHALL in
10.2.

2. Allow negotiation about the version of the same BPSS instance but not
more general.  This would require clarifying the statements in 5.2 and 10.2
to mention version but not allow negotiation of completely different BPSS
instances.
3. Allow negotiation about which BPSS instance document. (not just
version).

I believe that we understand how to negotiate about version but not how to
negotiate more generally about which BPSS instance document. However, I am
not sure that we know how to negotiate about roles or, perhaps, other
aspects of what is under the CollaborationRole element.

Given the lateness of the hour, I suggest that (1) is the only choice for
version 1.  If we agree on (1), I will add something to the futures
document.

Comments, please.

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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