> From nanog-bounces+bonomi=mail.r-bonomi....@nanog.org Sun Dec 19 23:31:25 > 2010 > Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:30:45 -0800 > From: JC Dill <jcdill.li...@gmail.com> > To: NANOG list <nanog@nanog.org> > Subject: Re: Some truth about Comcast - WikiLeaks style > > On 19/12/10 8:44 PM, Owen DeLong wrote: > > You can send letters > > Technically, this is illegal. You can send "documents" via FedEx and UPS. > > > just as well as packages via the other carriers. > > > > The "USPS monopoly" on first class mail is absurd. In fact, FedEx, UPS, > > et. al could offer a $0.44 letter product if they wanted to. > > No, they can't. > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Express_Statutes > > > They could not call it mail. They could call it "first class document > > delivery." > > > > However, the reality is that they probably couldn't sustain their business > > at that price point. > > > > The USPS doesn't have an actual monopoly so much as ownership of > > the term Mail almost like a trademark. > > > It's not just a trademark, it's the class of service. Just try starting > up a regular mail service, and see how far you get before they SHUT YOU > DOWN.
Actually, the gov't -won't- shut you down in that situation. They *WILL*, however make you pay -them- the statutory "first-class" postage rate for each such piece you carry. Aside: put a 'personal' sealed envelope communication inside a FedEx/UPS/ whatever shimpent, and you are _supposed_ to (a) 'declare' it on the outside of the package, and (b) put the appropriate postage stamps on the package. The "FedEx' 'overnight letter' (and other carrier equivalents) is a really cute case of threading the needle between what does and does not require first-class postage. It makes _interesting_ reading to review the actual tariffs and express service 'rules' on what you can send via that service.