Assign EmCan Numbers

EmCan is intended to be open and useful to all.  To this end, the specification is freely available, and it must not be burdensome to have globally unique values assigned as needed.  The assigning authority is allowed to charge a small application fee.  Note that the fee is for processing the application, not for the assigned number.  Assigned numbers are free, but the application process is not. 

While assigned numbers should be accessible to small companies and even hobbyists, there must also be safeguards to ensure this relatively free availability of assigned numbers is not abused.  There are 2,147,483,648 different application IDs and 1,048,576 different vendor blocks, with each vendor block good for 16 different devices.  These numbers are far larger than necessary as long as they are assigned when actually needed. 

It is against the spirit of the openess of EmCan, and also completely unnecessary, to hoard ranges of assigned numbers or acquire large blocks only because they might be needed in the future.  The assigning authority has the right to refuse assignments when it believes hoarding is going on.  Some amount of cost per assignment will also discourage hoarding and inappropriate use. 

Apply for Vendor Block

To make vendor blocks accessible, the first vendor block application for each organization is priced atrificially low.  Since each block allows up to 16 devices to be produced, this should be sufficient for individuals and small companies.  Organizations that create more than 16 devices are deemed to be large enough that the burden of a higher application cost for additional vendor blocks is inconsequential. 

The following information is required with each vendor block application:

1. Organization or individual name. 

2. Physical address. 

3. A URL to a page describing the organization or individual.  This must include some reasonable contact information or means of contacting the organization or individual. 

4. If the application is for a additional vendor block, then some evidence that previous vendor blocks have been used up, such as a list of products with links to where they are sold, for example. 

If any of the required information is missing or incorrect, the assigning authority can refuse to assign a number.  Since the fee is for the application, not the assigned number, it is unrefundable. 

First vendor block application per individual or organization, $25.00. 

Additional vendor block application per individual or organization, $100.00. 

Apply for Application ID

The following information is required with each application ID application:

1. Organization or individual name. 

2. Physical address. 

3. A URL to a page describing the organization or individual.  This must include some reasonable contact information or means of contacting the organization or individual. 

4. At least a brief description of the application.  A link to a web page describing the application is sufficient. 

If any of the required information is missing or incorrect, the assigning authority can refuse to assign a number.  Since the fee is for the application, not the assigned number, it is unrefundable. 

Request EmCan application ID, $50.00.