[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 27, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 27CFR73.3]

[Page 384-385]
 
            TITLE 27--ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND FIREARMS
 
 CHAPTER I--ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE 
                                TREASURY
 
PART 73_ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES; ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF FORMS--Table of 
 
                      Subpart A_General Provisions
 
Sec.  73.3  What terms must I know to understand this part?

    You need to know the following terms to understand this part:
    27 CFR. Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, chapter I.
    Biometrics. A method of verifying an individual's identity based on 
measurement of the individual's physical feature(s) or repeatable 
action(s) where those features and/or actions are both unique to that 
individual and measurable.
    Digital signature. An electronic signature based upon cryptographic 
methods of originator authentication, computed by using a set of rules 
and a set of parameters such that the identity of the signer and the 
integrity of the data can be verified. A signer creates a digital 
signature by using public-key encryption to transform a message digest 
of an electronic message. If a recipient of the digital signature has an 
electronic message, message digest function, and the signer's public 
key, the recipient can verify:
    (1) Whether the transformation was accomplished with the private key 
that corresponds to the signer's public key; and
    (2) Whether the electronic message has been altered since the 
transformation was made.
    Electronic document receiving system. Any set of apparatus, 
procedures, software, records, or documentation used to receive 
documents communicated to it via a telecommunications network.
    Electronic signature. A computer data compilation of any symbol or 
series of symbols executed, adopted, or authorized by an individual to 
be the legally binding equivalent of the individual's handwritten 
signature, and that:
    (1) Identifies and authenticates a particular person as the source 
of the electronic message; and
    (2) Indicates such person's approval of the information contained in 
the electronic message.
    Form(s). The term form(s), when used in this part, includes all 
documents required by 27 CFR, chapter I, to be submitted to TTB.
    Handwritten signature. The scripted name or legal mark of an 
individual handwritten by that individual and executed or adopted with 
the present intention to authenticate a writing in a permanent form. The 
act of signing with a writing or marking instrument such as a pen or 
stylus is preserved. The scripted name or legal mark, while 
conventionally applied to paper, may also be applied to other materials 
or devices that capture the name or mark.
    Paper format. A paper document.
    TTB. Refers to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau within 
the Department of the Treasury.
    You and I. ``You'' and ``I'' refer to the organization or person who 
must maintain records or submit documents to

[[Page 385]]

TTB to satisfy the requirements of 27 CFR, chapter I.