System and method for providing certification-related and other services

A method of warranting the identify of an individual within the context of a certificate authority system, the system comprising a root certificate authority, the root certificate authority adapted to issue a first certificate to an issuing participant and a second certificate to a relying participant;

• the issuing participant adapted to issue a third certificate to a subscribing party;
• the relying participant adapted to issue a fourth certificate to a relying party;
• comprising:
• transmitting first information from the subscribing party to the relying party, the first information comprising transaction information, the third certificate, and the first certificate;
• transmitting second information from the relying party to the relying participant, the second information comprising a request for a warranty as to the identity of the entity named in the third certificate and the fourth certificate, the request for warranty constituting a request for a binding promise from the issuing participant to the relying party to pay damages or submit to arbitration if the entity named in the third certificate did not authorize the digital signature;
• transmitting third information from the relying participant to the issuing participant, the third information comprising a request for the warranty and the second certificate;
• at the issuing participant, determining whether to issue the warranty, the step of determining comprising the step of determining whether the requested warranty would cause the issuing participant to exceed one of the issuing participant's warranty cap or collateral cap;
• transmitting fourth information from the issuing participant to the relying participant, the fourth information comprising an offer to issue the warranty to the relying party;
• transmitting fifth information from the relying participant to the relying party, the fifth information comprising the offer to issue the warranty to the relying party;
• transmitting sixth information from the relying party to the relying participant, the sixth information comprising an acceptance of the offer;
• transmitting seventh information from the relying participant to the issuing participant, the seventh information comprising the acceptance of the offer;
• whereby a warranty is established in which the promisor is the issuing participant and the promisee is the relying party.

A system for providing a plurality of services over a closed network comprising:

• a root entity;
• at lease one issuing participant;
• at least one relying participant;
• at least one relying customer;
• wherein one of the plurality of services is a warranty from the issuing participant to the relying customer and wherein each of the plurality of services is made available to the relying customer via the relying participant.

A system for providing a plurality of services over a closed network comprising:

• a root entity;
• at least one level one participant;
• at least one level two participant, the level two participant acting as a relying participant with respect to its customers;
• at least one relying customer, the relying customer being a customer of the level two participant, wherein each of the plurality of services is made available to the relying customer via the level two participant.

A system for providing dispute resolution to entities belonging to a closed network, comprising:

• a root entity;
• at lease one issuing participant;
• at least one relying participant;
• at least one relying customer, wherein the relying customer transmits messages relating to a dispute with the issuing participant via the relying participant.

A system for providing certificate warranties over a closed network comprising:

• a root entity;
• at lease one issuing participant , the issuing participant being required to post collateral with a collateral custodian in accordance with requirements established by the root entity, the amount of the collateral being based on the issuing participant's credit rating and the issuing participants prior claim and loss history;
• at least one relying participant;
• at least one relying customer, the relying customer receiving a certificate warranty from the issuing participant;

A method for initializing a level one participant for providing a plurality of services over a closed network comprising the following steps:

• applying for admission to the network;
• agreeing to be bound by the network rules;
• agreeing to act as an issuing participant before being permitted to act also as a relying participant;
• receiving a maximum warranty cap from the root entity;
• establishing an internal certificate authority;
• opening a collateral account with a collateral custodian;
• depositing the amount of collateral in a collateral account;
• requesting a digital certificate from the root entity;
• and
• receiving a digital certificate from the root entity.

A method for providing an identity warranty service over a closed network comprising the following steps:

• a subscribing customer initiating a transaction with a relying customer;
• the relying customer requesting an identification validation with warranty from the relying participant;
• the relying participant checking with a root entity as to the validity of an issuing participant's certificate;
• the relying participant receiving a response to the check from the root entity;
• the relying participant checking with the issuing participant as to the validity of the subscribing customer's certificate;
• the relying participant conveying the warranty request to the issuing participant;
• the issuing participant checking the validity of the subscribing customer's certificate;
• if the issuing participant decides not to issue the warranty:
• the issuing participant transmitting a negative message to the relying participant;
• the relying participant forwarding the message to the relying customer;
• and
• if the issuing participant decides to issue the warranty:
• the issuing participant updating its total outstanding issuance against its warranty cap;
• the issuing participant updating its collateral;
• the issuing participant reporting the status of its warranty cap to the root entity and the collateral custodian;
• the issuing participant transmitting its acceptance of the warranty request to relying participant;
• the relying participant pricing the warranty;
• the relying participant transmitting the terms of the warranty to the relying customer;
• if the relying customer decides not to purchase the warranty at the price and terms communicated:
• the relying customer notifying the issuing participant;
• and
• if the relying customer decides to purchase the warranty at the price and terms communicated:
• the relying customer returning an acceptance of the terms of the warranty to the relying participant;
• and
• the relying participant notifying the root entity and the issuing participant;
• and
• the relying participant billing the relying customer's account for the warranty price.

A method for providing dispute resolution over a closed network comprising the following steps:

• a relying customer filing a claim with a relying participant;
• the relying participant notifying an issuing participant, a root entity, and a collateral custodian of the filed claim and the amount of claim;
• if the issuing participant decides not to pay the claim:
• the issuing participant informing the relying participant of its decision not to pay the claim;
• initiating a dispute resolution proceeding if the relying customer is dissatisfied with the issuing participant's decision;
• if the issuing participant decides to pay the claim:
• the issuing participant informing the relying participant of the decision;
• the issuing participant paying the claim to the relying customer;
• the collateral custodian monitoring that the issuing participant has paid the claim, and decreasing the amount of collateral by the amount paid and also by the amount of the claim.