Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents

It is planned to introduce a web-based mechanism for submitting comments to the specifications. Please refer to the web site for FIPA's latest policy and procedure for dealing with issues regarding the specification. Notice Use of the technologies described in this specification may infringe patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights of FIPA Members and non-members. Nothing in this specification should be construed as granting permission to use any of the technologies described. Anyone planning to make use of technology covered by the intellectual property rights of others should first obtain permission from the holder(s) of the rights. FIPA strongly encourages anyone implementing any part of this specification to determine first whether part(s) sought to be implemented are covered by the intellectual property of others, and, if so, to obtain appropriate licenses or other permission from the holder(s) of such intellectual property prior to implementation. This FIPA 98 Specification is subject to change without notice. Neither FIPA nor any of its Members accept any responsibility whatsoever for damages or liability, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of this specification. v Foreword The Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) is a non-profit association registered in Geneva, Switzerland. FIPA's purpose is to promote the success of emerging agent-based applications, services and equipment. This goal is pursued by making available in a timely manner, internationally agreed specifications that maximise interoperability across agent-based applications, services and equipment. This is realised through the open international collaboration of member organisations, which are companies and universities active in the agent field. FIPA intends to make the results of its activities available t o all interested parties and to contribute the results of its activities to appropriate formal standards bodies. This specification has been developed through direct involvement of the FIPA membership. The 48 members of FIPA (October 1998) represent 13 countries worldwide. Membership in FIPA is open to any corporation and individual firm, partnership, governmental body or international organisation without restriction. By joining FIPA each member declares himself individually and collectively committed to open competition in the development of agent-based applications, services and equipment. Associate Member status is usually chosen by those entities who want to be members of FIPA without using the right to influence the precise content of the specifications through voting. The members are not restricted in any way from designing, developing, marketing and/or procuring agent-based applications, services and equipment. Members …