Definition of Automated content access protocol

Automated Content Access Protocol ("ACAP") is a proposed method of providing machine-readable permissions information for content. This will allow automated processes (such as search-engine web crawling) to be compliant with publishers policies without the need for human interpretation of legal terms. ACAP will be developed by the publishing industry with technical partners (including search engines). It is intended to provide support for more sophisticated online publishing business models. ACAP will be a metadata standard, not a specific web publishing technology.