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RFC 2426
Network Working Group F. Dawson
Request for Comments: 2426 Lotus Development Corporation
Category: Standards Track T. Howes
Netscape Communications
September 1998
vCard MIME Directory Profile
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This memo defines the profile of the MIME Content-Type [MIME-DIR] for
directory information for a white-pages person object, based on a
vCard electronic business card. The profile definition is independent
of any particular directory service or protocol. The profile is
defined for representing and exchanging a variety of information
about an individual (e.g., formatted and structured name and delivery
addresses, email address, multiple telephone numbers, photograph,
logo, audio clips, etc.). The directory information used by this
profile is based on the attributes for the person object defined in
the X.520 and X.521 directory services recommendations. The profile
also provides the method for including a [VCARD] representation of a
white-pages directory entry within the MIME Content-Type defined by
the [MIME-DIR] document.
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY" and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC 2119].
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 1]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Table of Contents
Overview.........................................................3
1. THE VCARD MIME DIRECTORY PROFILE REGISTRATION.................4
2. MIME DIRECTORY FEATURES.......................................5
2.1 PREDEFINED TYPE USAGE ......................................5
2.1.1 BEGIN and END Type ......................................5
2.1.2 NAME Type ...............................................5
2.1.3 PROFILE Type ............................................5
2.1.4 SOURCE Type .............................................5
2.2 PREDEFINED TYPE PARAMETER USAGE ............................6
2.3 PREDEFINED VALUE TYPE USAGE ................................6
2.4 EXTENSIONS TO THE PREDEFINED VALUE TYPES ...................6
2.4.1 BINARY ..................................................6
2.4.2 VCARD ...................................................6
2.4.3 PHONE-NUMBER ............................................7
2.4.4 UTC-OFFSET ..............................................7
2.5 STRUCTURED TYPE VALUES .....................................7
2.6 LINE DELIMITING AND FOLDING ................................8
3. VCARD PROFILE FEATURES........................................8
3.1 IDENTIFICATION TYPES .......................................8
3.1.1 FN Type Definition ......................................8
3.1.2 N Type Definition .......................................9
3.1.3 NICKNAME Type Definition ................................9
3.1.4 PHOTO Type Definition ..................................10
3.1.5 BDAY Type Definition ...................................11
3.2 DELIVERY ADDRESSING TYPES .................................11
3.2.1 ADR Type Definition ....................................11
3.2.2 LABEL Type Definition ..................................13
3.3 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADDRESSING TYPES .......................13
3.3.1 TEL Type Definition ....................................14
3.3.2 EMAIL Type Definition ..................................15
3.3.3 MAILER Type Definition .................................15
3.4 GEOGRAPHICAL TYPES ........................................16
3.4.1 TZ Type Definition .....................................16
3.4.2 GEO Type Definition ....................................16
3.5 ORGANIZATIONAL TYPES ......................................17
3.5.1 TITLE Type Definition ..................................17
3.5.2 ROLE Type Definition ...................................18
3.5.3 LOGO Type Definition ...................................18
3.5.4 AGENT Type Definition ..................................19
3.5.5 ORG Type Definition ....................................20
3.6 EXPLANATORY TYPES .........................................20
3.6.1 CATEGORIES Type Definition .............................20
3.6.2 NOTE Type Definition ...................................21
3.6.3 PRODID Type Definition .................................21
3.6.4 REV Type Definition ....................................22
3.6.5 SORT-STRING Type Definition ............................22
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
3.6.6 SOUND Type Definition ..................................23
3.6.7 UID Type Definition ....................................24
3.6.8 URL Type Definition ....................................25
3.6.9 VERSION Type Definition ................................25
3.7 SECURITY TYPES ............................................25
3.7.1 CLASS Type Definition ..................................26
3.7.2 KEY Type Definition ....................................26
3.8 EXTENDED TYPES ............................................27
4. FORMAL GRAMMAR...............................................27
5. DIFFERENCES FROM VCARD V2.1..................................37
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................39
7. AUTHORS' ADDRESSES...........................................39
8. SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS......................................39
9. REFERENCES...................................................40
10. FULL COPYRIGHT STATEMENT....................................42
Overview
The [MIME-DIR] document defines a MIME Content-Type for holding
different kinds of directory information. The directory information
can be based on any of a number of directory schemas. This document
defines a [MIME-DIR] usage profile for conveying directory
information based on one such schema; that of the white-pages type of
person object.
The schema is based on the attributes for the person object defined
in the X.520 and X.521 directory services recommendations. The schema
has augmented the basic attributes defined in the X.500 series
recommendation in order to provide for an electronic representation
of the information commonly found on a paper business card. This
schema was first defined in the [VCARD] document. Hence, this [MIME-
DIR] profile is referred to as the vCard MIME Directory Profile.
A directory entry based on this usage profile can include traditional
directory, white-pages information such as the distinguished name
used to uniquely identify the entry, a formatted representation of
the name used for user-interface or presentation purposes, both the
structured and presentation form of the delivery address, various
telephone numbers and organizational information associated with the
entry. In addition, traditional paper business card information such
as an image of an organizational logo or identify photograph can be
included in this person object.
The vCard MIME Directory Profile also provides support for
representing other important information about the person associated
with the directory entry. For instance, the date of birth of the
person; an audio clip describing the pronunciation of the name
associated with the directory entry, or some other application of the
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
digital sound; longitude and latitude geo-positioning information
related to the person associated with the directory entry; date and
time that the directory information was last updated; annotations
often written on a business card; Uniform Resource Locators (URL) for
a website; public key information. The profile also provides support
for non-standard extensions to the schema. This provides the
flexibility for implementations to augment the current capabilities
of the profile in a standardized way. More information about this
electronic business card format can be found in [VCARD].
1. The vCard Mime Directory Profile Registration
This profile is identified by the following [MIME-DIR] registration
template information. Subsequent sections define the profile
definition.
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME profile VCARD
Profile name: VCARD
Profile purpose: To hold person object or white-pages type of
directory information. The person schema captured in the directory
entries is that commonly found in an electronic business card.
Predefined MIME Directory value specifications used: uri, date,
date-time, float
New value specifications: This profile places further constraints on
the [MIME-DIR] text value specification. In addition, it adds a
binary, phone-number, utc-offset and vcard value specifications.
Predefined MIME Directory types used: SOURCE, NAME, PROFILE, BEGIN,
END.
Predefined MIME Directory parameters used: ENCODING, VALUE, CHARSET,
LANGUAGE, CONTEXT.
New types: FN, N, NICKNAME, PHOTO, BDAY, ADR, LABEL, TEL, EMAIL,
MAILER, TZ, GEO, TITLE, ROLE, LOGO, AGENT, ORG, CATEGORIES, NOTE,
PRODID, REV, SORT-STRING, SOUND, URL, UID, VERSION, CLASS, KEY
New parameters: TYPE
Profile special notes: The vCard object MUST contain the FN, N and
VERSION types. The type-grouping feature of [MIME-DIR] is supported
by this profile to group related vCard properties about a directory
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
entry. For example, vCard properties describing WORK or HOME related
characteristics can be grouped with a unique group label.
The profile permits the use of non-standard types (i.e., those
identified with the prefix string "X-") as a flexible method for
implementations to extend the functionality currently defined within
this profile.
2. MIME Directory Features
The vCard MIME Directory Profile makes use of many of the features
defined by [MIME-DIR]. The following sections either clarify or
extend the content-type definition of [MIME-DIR].
2.1 Predefined Type Usage
The vCard MIME Directory Profile uses the following predefined types
from [MIME-DIR].
2.1.1 BEGIN and END Type
The content entity MUST begin with the BEGIN type with a value of
"VCARD". The content entity MUST end with the END type with a value
of "VCARD".
2.1.2 NAME Type
If the NAME type is present, then its value is the displayable,
presentation text associated with the source for the vCard, as
specified in the SOURCE type.
2.1.3 PROFILE Type
If the PROFILE type is present, then its value MUST be "VCARD".
2.1.4 SOURCE Type
If the SOURCE type is present, then its value provides information
how to find the source for the vCard.
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
2.2 Predefined Type Parameter Usage
The vCard MIME Directory Profile uses the following predefined type
parameters as defined by [MIME-DIR].
- LANGUAGE
- ENCODING
- VALUE
2.3 Predefined VALUE Type Usage
The predefined data type values specified in [MIME-DIR] MUST NOT be
repeated in COMMA separated value lists except within the N,
NICKNAME, ADR and CATEGORIES value types.
The text value type defined in [MIME-DIR] is further restricted such
that any SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59) in the value MUST be
escaped with the BACKSLASH character (ASCII decimal 92).
2.4 Extensions To The Predefined VALUE Types
The predefined data type values specified in [MIME-DIR] have been
extended by the vCard profile to include a number of value types that
are specific to this profile.
2.4.1 BINARY
The "binary" value type specifies that the type value is inline,
encoded binary data. This value type can be specified in the PHOTO,
LOGO, SOUND, and KEY types.
If inline encoded binary data is specified, the ENCODING type
parameter MUST be used to specify the encoding format. The binary
data MUST be encoded using the "B" encoding format. Long lines of
encoded binary data SHOULD BE folded to 75 characters using the
folding method defined in [MIME-DIR].
The value type is defined by the following notation:
binary = <A "B" binary encoded string as defined by [RFC 2047].>
2.4.2 VCARD
The "vcard" value type specifies that the type value is another
vCard. This value type can be specified in the AGENT type. The value
type is defined by this specification. Since each of the type
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
declarations with in the vcard value type are being specified within
a text value themselves, they MUST be terminated with the backslash
escape sequence "\n" or "\N", instead of the normal newline character
sequence CRLF. In addition, any COMMA character (ASCII decimal 44),
SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59) and COLON character (ASCII
decimal 58) MUST be escaped with the BACKSLASH character (ASCII
decimal 92). For example, with the AGENT type a value would be
specified as:
AGENT:BEGIN:VCARD\nFN:Joe Friday\nTEL:+1-919-555-7878\n
TITLE:Area Administrator\, Assistant\n EMAIL\;TYPE=INTERN\n
ET:jfriday@host.com\nEND:VCARD\n
2.4.3 PHONE-NUMBER
The "phone-number" value type specifies that the type value is a
telephone number. This value type can be specified in the TEL type.
The value type is a text value that has the special semantics of a
telephone number as defined in [CCITT E.163] and [CCITT X.121].
2.4.4 UTC-OFFSET
The "utc-offset" value type specifies that the type value is a signed
offset from UTC. This value type can be specified in the TZ type.
The value type is an offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). It
is specified as a positive or negative difference in units of hours
and minutes (e.g., +hh:mm). The time is specified as a 24-hour clock.
Hour values are from 00 to 23, and minute values are from 00 to 59.
Hour and minutes are 2-digits with high order zeroes required to
maintain digit count. The extended format for ISO 8601 UTC offsets
MUST be used. The extended format makes use of a colon character as a
separator of the hour and minute text fields.
The value is defined by the following notation:
time-hour = 2DIGIT ;00-23
time-minute = 2DIGIT ;00-59
utc-offset = ("+" / "-") time-hour ":" time-minute
2.5 Structured Type Values
Compound type values are delimited by a field delimiter, specified by
the SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59). A SEMI-COLON in a
component of a compound property value MUST be escaped with a
BACKSLASH character (ASCII decimal 92).
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Lists of values are delimited by a list delimiter, specified by the
COMMA character (ASCII decimal 44). A COMMA character in a value MUST
be escaped with a BACKSLASH character (ASCII decimal 92).
This profile supports the type grouping mechanism defined in [MIME-
DIR]. Grouping of related types is a useful technique to communicate
common semantics concerning the properties of a vCard.
2.6 Line Delimiting and Folding
This profile supports the same line delimiting and folding methods
defined in [MIME-DIR]. Specifically, when parsing a content line,
folded lines must first be unfolded according to the unfolding
procedure described in [MIME-DIR]. After generating a content line,
lines longer than 75 characters SHOULD be folded according to the
folding procedure described in [MIME DIR].
Folding is done after any content encoding of a type value. Unfolding
is done before any decoding of a type value in a content line.
3. vCard Profile Features
The vCard MIME Directory Profile Type contains directory information,
typically pertaining to a single directory entry. The information is
described using an attribute schema that is tailored for capturing
personal contact information. The vCard can include attributes that
describe identification, delivery addressing, telecommunications
addressing, geographical, organizational, general explanatory and
security and access information about the particular object
associated with the vCard.
3.1 Identification Types
These types are used in the vCard profile to capture information
associated with the identification and naming of the person or
resource associated with the vCard.
3.1.1 FN Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type FN
Type name:FN
Type purpose: To specify the formatted text corresponding to the name
of the object the vCard represents.
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: This type is based on the semantics of the X.520
Common Name attribute. The property MUST be present in the vCard
object.
Type example:
FN:Mr. John Q. Public\, Esq.
3.1.2 N Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type N
Type name: N
Type purpose: To specify the components of the name of the object the
vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single structured text value. Each component can have
multiple values.
Type special note: The structured type value corresponds, in
sequence, to the Family Name, Given Name, Additional Names, Honorific
Prefixes, and Honorific Suffixes. The text components are separated
by the SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59). Individual text
components can include multiple text values (e.g., multiple
Additional Names) separated by the COMMA character (ASCII decimal
44). This type is based on the semantics of the X.520 individual name
attributes. The property MUST be present in the vCard object.
Type example:
N:Public;John;Quinlan;Mr.;Esq.
N:Stevenson;John;Philip,Paul;Dr.;Jr.,M.D.,A.C.P.
3.1.3 NICKNAME Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type NICKNAME
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type name: NICKNAME
Type purpose: To specify the text corresponding to the nickname of
the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: One or more text values separated by a COMMA character
(ASCII decimal 44).
Type special note: The nickname is the descriptive name given instead
of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing.
It can also be used to specify a familiar form of a proper name
specified by the FN or N types.
Type example:
NICKNAME:Robbie
NICKNAME:Jim,Jimmie
3.1.4 PHOTO Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type PHOTO
Type name: PHOTO
Type purpose: To specify an image or photograph information that
annotates some aspect of the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: The encoding MUST be reset to "b" using the ENCODING
parameter in order to specify inline, encoded binary data. If the
value is referenced by a URI value, then the default encoding of 8bit
is used and no explicit ENCODING parameter is needed.
Type value: A single value. The default is binary value. It can also
be reset to uri value. The uri value can be used to specify a value
outside of this MIME entity.
Type special notes: The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to
specify the graphic image format type. The TYPE parameter values MUST
be one of the IANA registered image formats or a non-standard image
format.
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type example:
PHOTO;VALUE=uri:http://www.abc.com/pub/photos
/jqpublic.gif
PHOTO;ENCODING=b;TYPE=JPEG:MIICajCCAdOgAwIBAgICBEUwDQYJKoZIhvcN
AQEEBQAwdzELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxLDAqBgNVBAoTI05ldHNjYXBlIENvbW11bm
ljYXRpb25zIENvcnBvcmF0aW9uMRwwGgYDVQQLExNJbmZvcm1hdGlvbiBTeXN0
<...remainder of "B" encoded binary data...>
3.1.5 BDAY Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type BDAY
Type name: BDAY
Type purpose: To specify the birth date of the object the vCard
represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: The default is a single date value. It can also be reset
to a single date-time value.
Type examples:
BDAY:1996-04-15
BDAY:1953-10-15T23:10:00Z
BDAY:1987-09-27T08:30:00-06:00
3.2 Delivery Addressing Types
These types are concerned with information related to the delivery
addressing or label for the vCard object.
3.2.1 ADR Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type ADR
Type name: ADR
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type purpose: To specify the components of the delivery address for
the vCard object.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single structured text value, separated by the
SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59).
Type special notes: The structured type value consists of a sequence
of address components. The component values MUST be specified in
their corresponding position. The structured type value corresponds,
in sequence, to the post office box; the extended address; the street
address; the locality (e.g., city); the region (e.g., state or
province); the postal code; the country name. When a component value
is missing, the associated component separator MUST still be
specified.
The text components are separated by the SEMI-COLON character (ASCII
decimal 59). Where it makes semantic sense, individual text
components can include multiple text values (e.g., a "street"
component with multiple lines) separated by the COMMA character
(ASCII decimal 44).
The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to specify the
delivery address type. The TYPE parameter values can include "dom" to
indicate a domestic delivery address; "intl" to indicate an
international delivery address; "postal" to indicate a postal
delivery address; "parcel" to indicate a parcel delivery address;
"home" to indicate a delivery address for a residence; "work" to
indicate delivery address for a place of work; and "pref" to indicate
the preferred delivery address when more than one address is
specified. These type parameter values can be specified as a
parameter list (i.e., "TYPE=dom;TYPE=postal") or as a value list
(i.e., "TYPE=dom,postal"). This type is based on semantics of the
X.520 geographical and postal addressing attributes. The default is
"TYPE=intl,postal,parcel,work". The default can be overridden to some
other set of values by specifying one or more alternate values. For
example, the default can be reset to "TYPE=dom,postal,work,home" to
specify a domestic delivery address for postal delivery to a
residence that is also used for work.
Type example: In this example the post office box and the extended
address are absent.
ADR;TYPE=dom,home,postal,parcel:;;123 Main
Street;Any Town;CA;91921-1234
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3.2.2 LABEL Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type LABEL
Type name: LABEL
Type purpose: To specify the formatted text corresponding to delivery
address of the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: The type value is formatted text that can be used
to present a delivery address label for the vCard object. The type
can include the type parameter "TYPE" to specify delivery label type.
The TYPE parameter values can include "dom" to indicate a domestic
delivery label; "intl" to indicate an international delivery label;
"postal" to indicate a postal delivery label; "parcel" to indicate a
parcel delivery label; "home" to indicate a delivery label for a
residence; "work" to indicate delivery label for a place of work; and
"pref" to indicate the preferred delivery label when more than one
label is specified. These type parameter values can be specified as a
parameter list (i.e., "TYPE=dom;TYPE=postal") or as a value list
(i.e., "TYPE=dom,postal"). This type is based on semantics of the
X.520 geographical and postal addressing attributes. The default is
"TYPE=intl,postal,parcel,work". The default can be overridden to some
other set of values by specifying one or more alternate values. For
example, the default can be reset to "TYPE=intl,post,parcel,home" to
specify an international delivery label for both postal and parcel
delivery to a residential location.
Type example: A multi-line address label.
LABEL;TYPE=dom,home,postal,parcel:Mr.John Q. Public\, Esq.\n
Mail Drop: TNE QB\n123 Main Street\nAny Town\, CA 91921-1234
\nU.S.A.
3.3 Telecommunications Addressing Types
These types are concerned with information associated with the
telecommunications addressing of the object the vCard represents.
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
3.3.1 TEL Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type TEL
Type name: TEL
Type purpose: To specify the telephone number for telephony
communication with the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single phone-number value.
Type special notes: The value of this type is specified in a
canonical form in order to specify an unambiguous representation of
the globally unique telephone endpoint. This type is based on the
X.500 Telephone Number attribute.
The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to specify intended
use for the telephone number. The TYPE parameter values can include:
"home" to indicate a telephone number associated with a residence,
"msg" to indicate the telephone number has voice messaging support,
"work" to indicate a telephone number associated with a place of
work, "pref" to indicate a preferred-use telephone number, "voice" to
indicate a voice telephone number, "fax" to indicate a facsimile
telephone number, "cell" to indicate a cellular telephone number,
"video" to indicate a video conferencing telephone number, "pager" to
indicate a paging device telephone number, "bbs" to indicate a
bulletin board system telephone number, "modem" to indicate a MODEM
connected telephone number, "car" to indicate a car-phone telephone
number, "isdn" to indicate an ISDN service telephone number, "pcs" to
indicate a personal communication services telephone number. The
default type is "voice". These type parameter values can be specified
as a parameter list (i.e., "TYPE=work;TYPE=voice") or as a value list
(i.e., "TYPE=work,voice"). The default can be overridden to another
set of values by specifying one or more alternate values. For
example, the default TYPE of "voice" can be reset to a WORK and HOME,
VOICE and FAX telephone number by the value list
"TYPE=work,home,voice,fax".
Type example:
TEL;TYPE=work,voice,pref,msg:+1-213-555-1234
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
3.3.2 EMAIL Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type EMAIL
Type name: EMAIL
Type purpose: To specify the electronic mail address for
communication with the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to
specify the format or preference of the electronic mail address. The
TYPE parameter values can include: "internet" to indicate an Internet
addressing type, "x400" to indicate a X.400 addressing type or "pref"
to indicate a preferred-use email address when more than one is
specified. Another IANA registered address type can also be
specified. The default email type is "internet". A non-standard value
can also be specified.
Type example:
EMAIL;TYPE=internet:jqpublic@xyz.dom1.com
EMAIL;TYPE=internet:jdoe@isp.net
EMAIL;TYPE=internet,pref:jane_doe@abc.com
3.3.3 MAILER Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type MAILER
Type name: MAILER
Type purpose: To specify the type of electronic mail software that is
used by the individual associated with the vCard.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 15]
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Type special notes: This information can provide assistance to a
correspondent regarding the type of data representation which can be
used, and how they can be packaged. This property is based on the
private MIME type X-Mailer that is generally implemented by MIME user
agent products.
Type example:
MAILER:PigeonMail 2.1
3.4 Geographical Types
These types are concerned with information associated with
geographical positions or regions associated with the object the
vCard represents.
3.4.1 TZ Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type TZ
Type name: TZ
Type purpose: To specify information related to the time zone of the
object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: The default is a single utc-offset value. It can also be
reset to a single text value.
Type special notes: The type value consists of a single value.
Type examples:
TZ:-05:00
TZ;VALUE=text:-05:00; EST; Raleigh/North America
;This example has a single value, not a structure text value.
3.4.2 GEO Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type GEO
Type name: GEO
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type purpose: To specify information related to the global
positioning of the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single structured value consisting of two float values
separated by the SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59).
Type special notes: This type specifies information related to the
global position of the object associated with the vCard. The value
specifies latitude and longitude, in that order (i.e., "LAT LON"
ordering). The longitude represents the location east and west of the
prime meridian as a positive or negative real number, respectively.
The latitude represents the location north and south of the equator
as a positive or negative real number, respectively. The longitude
and latitude values MUST be specified as decimal degrees and should
be specified to six decimal places. This will allow for granularity
within a meter of the geographical position. The text components are
separated by the SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59). The simple
formula for converting degrees-minutes-seconds into decimal degrees
is:
decimal = degrees + minutes/60 + seconds/3600.
Type example:
GEO:37.386013;-122.082932
3.5 Organizational Types
These types are concerned with information associated with
characteristics of the organization or organizational units of the
object the vCard represents.
3.5.1 TITLE Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type TITLE
Type name: TITLE
Type purpose: To specify the job title, functional position or
function of the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 17]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type special notes: This type is based on the X.520 Title attribute.
Type example:
TITLE:Director\, Research and Development
3.5.2 ROLE Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type ROLE
Type name: ROLE
Type purpose: To specify information concerning the role, occupation,
or business category of the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: This type is based on the X.520 Business Category
explanatory attribute. This property is included as an organizational
type to avoid confusion with the semantics of the TITLE type and
incorrect usage of that type when the semantics of this type is
intended.
Type example:
ROLE:Programmer
3.5.3 LOGO Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type LOGO
Type name: LOGO
Type purpose: To specify a graphic image of a logo associated with
the object the vCard represents.
Type encoding: The encoding MUST be reset to "b" using the ENCODING
parameter in order to specify inline, encoded binary data. If the
value is referenced by a URI value, then the default encoding of 8bit
is used and no explicit ENCODING parameter is needed.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 18]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type value: A single value. The default is binary value. It can also
be reset to uri value. The uri value can be used to specify a value
outside of this MIME entity.
Type special notes: The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to
specify the graphic image format type. The TYPE parameter values MUST
be one of the IANA registered image formats or a non-standard image
format.
Type example:
LOGO;VALUE=uri:http://www.abc.com/pub/logos/abccorp.jpg
LOGO;ENCODING=b;TYPE=JPEG:MIICajCCAdOgAwIBAgICBEUwDQYJKoZIhvcN
AQEEBQAwdzELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxLDAqBgNVBAoTI05ldHNjYXBlIENvbW11bm
ljYXRpb25zIENvcnBvcmF0aW9uMRwwGgYDVQQLExNJbmZvcm1hdGlvbiBTeXN0
<...the remainder of "B" encoded binary data...>
3.5.4 AGENT Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type AGENT
Type name: AGENT
Type purpose: To specify information about another person who will
act on behalf of the individual or resource associated with the
vCard.
Type encoding: 8-bit
Type value: The default is a single vcard value. It can also be reset
to either a single text or uri value. The text value can be used to
specify textual information. The uri value can be used to specify
information outside of this MIME entity.
Type special notes: This type typically is used to specify an area
administrator, assistant, or secretary for the individual associated
with the vCard. A key characteristic of the Agent type is that it
represents somebody or something that is separately addressable.
Type example:
AGENT;VALUE=uri:
CID:JQPUBLIC.part3.960129T083020.xyzMail@host3.com
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 19]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
AGENT:BEGIN:VCARD\nFN:Susan Thomas\nTEL:+1-919-555-
1234\nEMAIL\;INTERNET:sthomas@host.com\nEND:VCARD\n
3.5.5 ORG Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type ORG
Type name: ORG
Type purpose: To specify the organizational name and units associated
with the vCard.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single structured text value consisting of components
separated the SEMI-COLON character (ASCII decimal 59).
Type special notes: The type is based on the X.520 Organization Name
and Organization Unit attributes. The type value is a structured type
consisting of the organization name, followed by one or more levels
of organizational unit names.
Type example: A type value consisting of an organizational name,
organizational unit #1 name and organizational unit #2 name.
ORG:ABC\, Inc.;North American Division;Marketing
3.6 Explanatory Types
These types are concerned with additional explanations, such as that
related to informational notes or revisions specific to the vCard.
3.6.1 CATEGORIES Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type CATEGORIES
Type name: CATEGORIES
Type purpose: To specify application category information about the
vCard.
Type encoding: 8bit
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 20]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type value: One or more text values separated by a COMMA character
(ASCII decimal 44).
Type example:
CATEGORIES:TRAVEL AGENT
CATEGORIES:INTERNET,IETF,INDUSTRY,INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
3.6.2 NOTE Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type NOTE
Type name: NOTE
Type purpose: To specify supplemental information or a comment that
is associated with the vCard.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: The type is based on the X.520 Description
attribute.
Type example:
NOTE:This fax number is operational 0800 to 1715
EST\, Mon-Fri.
3.6.3 PRODID Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type PRODID
Type name: PRODID
Type purpose: To specify the identifier for the product that created
the vCard object.
Type encoding: 8-bit
Type value: A single text value.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 21]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type special notes: Implementations SHOULD use a method such as that
specified for Formal Public Identifiers in ISO 9070 to assure that
the text value is unique.
Type example:
PRODID:-//ONLINE DIRECTORY//NONSGML Version 1//EN
3.6.4 REV Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type REV
Type name: REV
Type purpose: To specify revision information about the current
vCard.
Type encoding: 8-bit
Type value: The default is a single date-time value. Can also be
reset to a single date value.
Type special notes: The value distinguishes the current revision of
the information in this vCard for other renditions of the
information.
Type example:
REV:1995-10-31T22:27:10Z
REV:1997-11-15
3.6.5 SORT-STRING Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type SORT-STRING
Type Name: SORT-STRING
Type purpose: To specify the family name or given name text to be
used for national-language-specific sorting of the FN and N types.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 22]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type special notes: The sort string is used to provide family name or
given name text that is to be used in locale- or national-language-
specific sorting of the formatted name and structured name types.
Without this information, sorting algorithms could incorrectly sort
this vCard within a sequence of sorted vCards. When this type is
present in a vCard, then this family name or given name value is used
for sorting the vCard.
Type examples: For the case of family name sorting, the following
examples define common sort string usage with the FN and N types.
FN:Rene van der Harten
N:van der Harten;Rene;J.;Sir;R.D.O.N.
SORT-STRING:Harten
FN:Robert Pau Shou Chang
N:Pau;Shou Chang;Robert
SORT-STRING:Pau
FN:Osamu Koura
N:Koura;Osamu
SORT-STRING:Koura
FN:Oscar del Pozo
N:del Pozo Triscon;Oscar
SORT-STRING:Pozo
FN:Chistine d'Aboville
N:d'Aboville;Christine
SORT-STRING:Aboville
3.6.6 SOUND Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type SOUND
Type name: SOUND
Type purpose: To specify a digital sound content information that
annotates some aspect of the vCard. By default this type is used to
specify the proper pronunciation of the name type value of the vCard.
Type encoding: The encoding MUST be reset to "b" using the ENCODING
parameter in order to specify inline, encoded binary data. If the
value is referenced by a URI value, then the default encoding of 8bit
is used and no explicit ENCODING parameter is needed.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 23]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type value: A single value. The default is binary value. It can also
be reset to uri value. The uri value can be used to specify a value
outside of this MIME entity.
Type special notes: The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to
specify the audio format type. The TYPE parameter values MUST be one
of the IANA registered audio formats or a non-standard audio format.
Type example:
SOUND;TYPE=BASIC;VALUE=uri:CID:JOHNQPUBLIC.part8.
19960229T080000.xyzMail@host1.com
SOUND;TYPE=BASIC;ENCODING=b:MIICajCCAdOgAwIBAgICBEUwDQYJKoZIhvcN
AQEEBQAwdzELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxLDAqBgNVBAoTI05ldHNjYXBlIENvbW11bm
ljYXRpb25zIENvcnBvcmF0aW9uMRwwGgYDVQQLExNJbmZvcm1hdGlvbiBTeXN0
<...the remainder of "B" encoded binary data...>
3.6.7 UID Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type UID
Type name: UID
Type purpose: To specify a value that represents a globally unique
identifier corresponding to the individual or resource associated
with the vCard.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: The type is used to uniquely identify the object
that the vCard represents.
The type can include the type parameter "TYPE" to specify the format
of the identifier. The TYPE parameter value should be an IANA
registered identifier format. The value can also be a non-standard
format.
Type example:
UID:19950401-080045-40000F192713-0052
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 24]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
3.6.8 URL Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type URL
Type name: URL
Type purpose: To specify a uniform resource locator associated with
the object that the vCard refers to.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single uri value.
Type example:
URL:http://www.swbyps.restaurant.french/~chezchic.html
3.6.9 VERSION Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type VERSION
Type name: VERSION
Type purpose: To specify the version of the vCard specification used
to format this vCard.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: The property MUST be present in the vCard object.
The value MUST be "3.0" if the vCard corresponds to this
specification.
Type example:
VERSION:3.0
3.7 Security Types
These types are concerned with the security of communication pathways
or access to the vCard.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 25]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
3.7.1 CLASS Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type CLASS
Type name: CLASS
Type purpose: To specify the access classification for a vCard
object.
Type encoding: 8bit
Type value: A single text value.
Type special notes: An access classification is only one component of
the general security model for a directory service. The
classification attribute provides a method of capturing the intent of
the owner for general access to information described by the vCard
object.
Type examples:
CLASS:PUBLIC
CLASS:PRIVATE
CLASS:CONFIDENTIAL
3.7.2 KEY Type Definition
To: ietf-mime-directory@imc.org
Subject: Registration of text/directory MIME type KEY
Type name: KEY
Type purpose: To specify a public key or authentication certificate
associated with the object that the vCard represents.
Type encoding: The encoding MUST be reset to "b" using the ENCODING
parameter in order to specify inline, encoded binary data. If the
value is a text value, then the default encoding of 8bit is used and
no explicit ENCODING parameter is needed.
Type value: A single value. The default is binary. It can also be
reset to text value. The text value can be used to specify a text
key.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 26]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
Type special notes: The type can also include the type parameter TYPE
to specify the public key or authentication certificate format. The
parameter type should specify an IANA registered public key or
authentication certificate format. The parameter type can also
specify a non-standard format.
Type example:
KEY;ENCODING=b:MIICajCCAdOgAwIBAgICBEUwDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEEBQA
wdzELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxLDAqBgNVBAoTI05ldHNjYXBlIENbW11bmljYX
Rpb25zIENvcnBvcmF0aW9uMRwwGgYDVQQLExNJbmZvcm1hdGlvbiBTeXN0
ZW1zMRwwGgYDVQQDExNyb290Y2EubmV0c2NhcGUuY29tMB4XDTk3MDYwNj
E5NDc1OVoXDTk3MTIwMzE5NDc1OVowgYkxCzAJBgNVBAYTAlVTMSYwJAYD
VQQKEx1OZXRzY2FwZSBDb21tdW5pY2F0aW9ucyBDb3JwLjEYMBYGA1UEAx
MPVGltb3RoeSBBIEhvd2VzMSEwHwYJKoZIhvcNAQkBFhJob3dlc0BuZXRz
Y2FwZS5jb20xFTATBgoJkiaJk/IsZAEBEwVob3dlczBcMA0GCSqGSIb3DQ
EBAQUAA0sAMEgCQQC0JZf6wkg8pLMXHHCUvMfL5H6zjSk4vTTXZpYyrdN2
dXcoX49LKiOmgeJSzoiFKHtLOIboyludF90CgqcxtwKnAgMBAAGjNjA0MB
EGCWCGSAGG+EIBAQQEAwIAoDAfBgNVHSMEGDAWgBT84FToB/GV3jr3mcau
+hUMbsQukjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQQFAAOBgQBexv7o7mi3PLXadkmNP9LcIP
mx93HGp0Kgyx1jIVMyNgsemeAwBM+MSlhMfcpbTrONwNjZYW8vJDSoi//y
rZlVt9bJbs7MNYZVsyF1unsqaln4/vy6Uawfg8VUMk1U7jt8LYpo4YULU7
UZHPYVUaSgVttImOHZIKi4hlPXBOhcUQ==
3.8 Extended Types
The types defined by this document can be extended with private types
using the non-standard, private values mechanism defined in [RFC
2045]. Non-standard, private types with a name starting with "X-" may
be defined bilaterally between two cooperating agents without outside
registration or standardization.
4. Formal Grammar
The following formal grammar is provided to assist developers in
building parsers for the vCard.
This syntax is written according to the form described in RFC 2234,
but it references just this small subset of RFC 2234 literals:
;*******************************************
; Commonly Used Literal Definition
;*******************************************
ALPHA = %x41-5A / %x61-7A
; Latin Capital Letter A-Latin Capital Letter Z /
; Latin Small Letter a-Latin Small Letter z
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 27]
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CHAR = %x01-7F
; Any C0 Controls and Basic Latin, excluding NULL from
; Code Charts, pages 7-6 through 7-9 in [UNICODE]
CR = %x0D
; Carriage Return
LF = %0A
; Line Feed
CRLF = CR LF
; Internet standard newline
;CTL = %x00-1F / %x7F
; Controls. Not used, but referenced in comments.
DIGIT = %x30-39
; Digit Zero-Digit Nine
DQUOTE = %x22
; Quotation Mark
HTAB = %x09
; Horizontal Tabulation
SP = %x20
; space
VCHAR = %x21-7E
; Visible (printing) characters
WSP = SP / HTAB
; White Space
;*******************************************
; Basic vCard Definition
;*******************************************
vcard_entity = 1*(vcard)
vcard = [group "."] "BEGIN" ":" "VCARD" 1*CRLF
1*(contentline)
;A vCard object MUST include the VERSION, FN and N types.
[group "."] "END" ":" "VCARD" 1*CRLF
contentline = [group "."] name *(";" param ) ":" value CRLF
; When parsing a content line, folded lines must first
; be unfolded according to the unfolding procedure
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 28]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
; described above. When generating a content line, lines
; longer than 75 characters SHOULD be folded according to
; the folding procedure described in [MIME DIR].
group = 1*(ALPHA / DIGIT / "-")
name = iana-token / x-name
; Parsing of the param and value is
; based on the "name" or type identifier
; as defined in ABNF sections below
iana-token = 1*(ALPHA / DIGIT / "-")
; vCard type or parameter identifier registered with IANA
x-name = "X-" 1*(ALPHA / DIGIT / "-")
; Reserved for non-standard use
param = param-name "=" param-value *("," param-value)
param-name = iana-token / x-name
param-value = ptext / quoted-string
ptext = *SAFE-CHAR
value = *VALUE-CHAR
quoted-string = DQUOTE QSAFE-CHAR DQUOTE
NON-ASCII = %x80-FF
; Use is restricted by CHARSET parameter
; on outer MIME object (UTF-8 preferred)
QSAFE-CHAR = WSP / %x21 / %x23-7E / NON-ASCII
; Any character except CTLs, DQUOTE
SAFE-CHAR = WSP / %x21 / %x23-2B / %x2D-39 / %x3C-7E / NON-ASCII
; Any character except CTLs, DQUOTE, ";", ":", ","
VALUE-CHAR = WSP / VCHAR / NON-ASCII
; Any textual character
;*******************************************
; vCard Type Definition
;
; Provides type-specific definitions for how the
; "value" and "param" are defined.
;*******************************************
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 29]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
;For name="NAME"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="PROFILE"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = text-value
; Value MUST be the case insensitive value "VCARD
;For name="SOURCE"
param = source-param
; No parameters allowed
value = uri
source-param = ("VALUE" "=" "uri")
/ ("CONTEXT" "=" "word")
; Parameter value specifies the protocol context
; for the uri value.
/ (x-name "=" *SAFE-CHAR)
;For name="FN"
;This type MUST be included in a vCard object.
param = text-param
; Text parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="N"
;This type MUST be included in a vCard object.
param = text-param
; Text parameters allowed
value = n-value
n-value = 0*4(text-value *("," text-value) ";")
text-value *("," text-value)
; Family; Given; Middle; Prefix; Suffix.
; Example: Public;John;Quincy,Adams;Reverend Dr. III
;For name="NICKNAME"
param = text-param
; Text parameters allowed
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 30]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
value = text-list
;For name="PHOTO"
param = img-inline-param
; Only image parameters allowed
param =/ img-refer-param
; Only image parameters allowed
value = img-inline-value
; Value and parameter MUST match
value =/ img-refer-value
; Value and parameter MUST match
;For name="BDAY"
param = ("VALUE" "=" "date")
; Only value parameter allowed
param =/ ("VALUE" "=" "date-time")
; Only value parameter allowed
value = date-value
; Value MUST match value type
value =/ date-time-value
; Value MUST match value type
;For name="ADR"
param = adr-param / text-param
; Only adr and text parameters allowed
value = adr-value
;For name="LABEL"
param = adr-param / text-param
; Only adr and text parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="TEL"
param = tel-param
; Only tel parameters allowed
value = phone-number-value
tel-param = "TYPE" "=" tel-type *("," tel-type)
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 31]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
tel-type = "HOME" / "WORK" / "PREF" / "VOICE" / "FAX" / "MSG"
/ "CELL" / "PAGER" / "BBS" / "MODEM" / "CAR" / "ISDN"
/ "VIDEO" / "PCS" / iana-token / x-name
; Values are case insensitive
;For name="EMAIL"
param = email-param
; Only email parameters allowed
value = text-value
email-param = "TYPE" "=" email-type ["," "PREF"]
; Value is case insensitive
email-type = "INTERNET" / "X400" / iana-token / "X-" word
; Values are case insensitive
;For name="MAILER"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="TZ"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = utc-offset-value
;For name="GEO"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = float-value ";" float-value
;For name="TITLE"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="ROLE"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="LOGO"
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 32]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
param = img-inline-param / img-refer-param
; Only image parameters allowed
value = img-inline-value / img-refer-value
; Value and parameter MUST match
;For name="AGENT"
param = agent-inline-param
param =/ agent-refer-param
value = agent-inline-value
; Value and parameter MUST match
value =/ agent-refer-value
; Value and parameter MUST match
agent-inline-param = ""
; No parameters allowed
agent-refer-param = "VALUE" "=" "uri"
; Only value parameter allowed
agent-inline-value = text-value
; Value MUST be a valid vCard object
agent-refer-value = uri
; URI MUST refer to image content of given type
;For name="ORG"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
value = org-value
org-value = *(text-value ";") text-value
; First is Organization Name, remainder are Organization Units.
;For name="CATEGORIES"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
value = text-list
;For name="NOTE"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 33]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
value = text-value
;For name="PRODID"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="REV"
param = ["VALUE" =" "date-time"]
; Only value parameters allowed. Values are case insensitive.
param =/ "VALUE" =" "date"
; Only value parameters allowed. Values are case insensitive.
value = date-time-value
value =/ date-value
;For name="SORT-STRING"
param = text-param
; Only text parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="SOUND"
param = snd-inline-param
; Only sound parameters allowed
param =/ snd-refer-param
; Only sound parameters allowed
value = snd-line-value
; Value MUST match value type
value =/ snd-refer-value
; Value MUST match value type
snd-inline-value = binary-value CRLF
; Value MUST be "b" encoded audio content
snd-inline-param = ("VALUE" "=" "binary"])
/ ("ENCODING" "=" "b")
/ ("TYPE" "=" *SAFE-CHAR)
; Value MUST be an IANA registered audio type
snd-refer-value = uri
; URI MUST refer to audio content of given type
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 34]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
snd-refer-param = ("VALUE" "=" "uri")
/ ("TYPE" "=" word)
; Value MUST be an IANA registered audio type
;For name="UID"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = text-value
;For name="URL"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = uri
;For name="VERSION"
;This type MUST be included in a vCard object.
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = text-value
; Value MUST be "3.0"
;For name="CLASS"
param = ""
; No parameters allowed
value = "PUBLIC" / "PRIVATE" / "CONFIDENTIAL"
/ iana-token / x-name
; Value are case insensitive
;For name="KEY"
param = key-txt-param
; Only value and type parameters allowed
param =/ key-bin-param
; Only value and type parameters allowed
value = text-value
value =/ binary-value
key-txt-param = "TYPE" "=" keytype
key-bin-param = ("TYPE" "=" keytype)
/ ("ENCODING" "=" "b")
; Value MUST be a "b" encoded key or certificate
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 35]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
keytype = "X509" / "PGP" / iana-token / x-name
; Values are case insensitive
;For name="X-" non-standard type
param = text-param / (x-name "=" param-value)
; Only text or non-standard parameters allowed
value = text-value
;*******************************************
; vCard Commonly Used Parameter Definition
;*******************************************
text-param = ("VALUE" "=" "ptext")
/ ("LANGUAGE" "=" langval)
/ (x-name "=" param-value)
langval = <a language string as defined in RFC 1766>
img-inline-value = binary-value
;Value MUST be "b" encoded image content
img-inline-param
img-inline-param = ("VALUE" "=" "binary")
/ ("ENCODING" "=" "b")
/ ("TYPE" "=" param-value
;TYPE value MUST be an IANA registered image type
img-refer-value = uri
;URI MUST refer to image content of given type
img-refer-param = ("VALUE" "=" "uri")
/ ("TYPE" "=" param-value)
;TYPE value MUST be an IANA registered image type
adr-param = ("TYPE" "=" adr-type *("," adr-type))
/ (text-param)
adr-type = "dom" / "intl" / "postal" / "parcel" / "home"
/ "work" / "pref" / iana-type / x-name
adr-value = 0*6(text-value ";") text-value
; PO Box, Extended Address, Street, Locality, Region, Postal
; Code, Country Name
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
;*******************************************
; vCard Type Value Definition
;*******************************************
text-value-list = 1*text-value *("," 1*text-value)
text-value = *(SAFE-CHAR / ":" / DQUOTE / ESCAPED-CHAR)
ESCAPED-CHAR = "\\" / "\;" / "\," / "\n" / "\N")
; \\ encodes \, \n or \N encodes newline
; \; encodes ;, \, encodes ,
binary-value = <A "b" encoded text value as defined in [RFC 2047]>
date-value = <A single date value as defined in [MIME-DIR]>
time-value = <A single time value as defined in [MIME-DIR]>
date-time-value = <A single date-time value as defined in [MIME-DIR]
float-value = <A single float value as defined in [MIME-DIR]>
phone-number-value = <A single text value as defined in [CCITT
E.163] and [CCITT X.121]>
uri-value = <A uri value as defined in [MIME-DIR]>
utc-offset-value = ("+" / "-") time-hour ":" time-minute
time-hour = 2DIGIT ;00-23
time-minute = 2DIGIT ;00-59
5. Differences From vCard v2.1
This specification has been reviewed by the IETF community. The
review process introduced a number of differences from the [VCARD]
version 2.1. These differences require that vCard objects conforming
to this specification have a different version number than a vCard
conforming to [VCARD]. The differences include the following:
. The QUOTED-PRINTABLE inline encoding has been eliminated.
Only the "B" encoding of [RFC 2047] is an allowed value for
the ENCODING parameter.
. The method for specifying CRLF character sequences in text
type values has been changed. The CRLF character sequence in
a text type value is specified with the backslash character
sequence "\n" or "\N".
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. Any COMMA or SEMICOLON in a text type value must be backslash
escaped.
. VERSION value corresponding to this specification MUST be
"3.0".
. The [MIME-DIR] predefined types of SOURCE, NAME and PROFILE
are allowed.
. The [MIME-DIR] VALUE type parameter for value data typing is
allowed. In addition, there are extensions made to these type
values for additional value types used in this specification.
. The [VCARD] CHARSET type parameter has been eliminated.
Character set can only be specified on the CHARSET parameter
on the Content-Type MIME header field.
. The [VCARD] support for non-significant WSP character has
been eliminated.
. The "TYPE=" prefix to parameter values is required. In
[VCARD] this was optional.
. LOGO, PHOTO and SOUND multimedia formats MUST be either IANA
registered types or non-standard types.
. Inline binary content must be "B" encoded and folded. A blank
line after the encoded binary content is no longer required.
. TEL values can be identified as personal communication
services telephone numbers with the PCS type parameter value.
. The CATEGORIES, CLASS, NICKNAME, PRODID and SORT-STRING types
have been added.
. The VERSION, N and FN types MUST be specified in a vCard.
This identifies the version of the specification that the
object was formatted to. It also assures that every vCard
will include both a structured and formatted name that can be
used to identify the object.
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
6. Acknowledgements
The many valuable comments contributed by members of the IETF ASID
working group are gratefully acknowledged, as are the contributions
by Roland Alden, Stephen Bartlett, Alec Dun, Patrik Faltstrom, Daniel
Gurney, Bruce Johnston, Daniel Klaussen, Pete Miller, Keith Moore,
Vinod Seraphin, Michelle Watkins. Chris Newman was especially helpful
in navigating the intricacies of ABNF lore.
7. Authors' Addresses
BEGIN:vCard
VERSION:3.0
FN:Frank Dawson
ORG:Lotus Development Corporation
ADR;TYPE=WORK,POSTAL,PARCEL:;;6544 Battleford Drive
;Raleigh;NC;27613-3502;U.S.A.
TEL;TYPE=VOICE,MSG,WORK:+1-919-676-9515
TEL;TYPE=FAX,WORK:+1-919-676-9564
EMAIL;TYPE=INTERNET,PREF:Frank_Dawson@Lotus.com
EMAIL;TYPE=INTERNET:fdawson@earthlink.net
URL:http://home.earthlink.net/~fdawson
END:vCard
BEGIN:vCard
VERSION:3.0
FN:Tim Howes
ORG:Netscape Communications Corp.
ADR;TYPE=WORK:;;501 E. Middlefield Rd.;Mountain View;
CA; 94043;U.S.A.
TEL;TYPE=VOICE,MSG,WORK:+1-415-937-3419
TEL;TYPE=FAX,WORK:+1-415-528-4164
EMAIL;TYPE=INTERNET:howes@netscape.com
END:vCard
8. Security Considerations
vCards can carry cryptographic keys or certificates, as described in
Section 3.7.2.
Section 3.7.1 specifies a desired security classification policy for
a particular vCard. That policy is not enforced in any way.
The vCard objects have no inherent authentication or privacy, but can
easily be carried by any security mechanism that transfers MIME
objects with authentication or privacy. In cases where threats of
"spoofed" vCard information is a concern, the vCard SHOULD BE
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RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
transported using one of these secure mechanisms.
The information in a vCard may become out of date. In cases where the
vitality of data is important to an originator of a vCard, the "URL"
type described in section 3.6.8 SHOULD BE specified. In addition, the
"REV" type described in section 3.6.4 can be specified to indicate
the last time that the vCard data was updated.
9. References
[ISO 8601] ISO 8601:1988 - Data elements and interchange formats -
Information interchange - Representation of dates and
times - The International Organization for
Standardization, June, 1988.
[ISO 8601 TC] ISO 8601, Technical Corrigendum 1 - Data elements and
interchange formats - Information interchange -
Representation of dates and times - The International
Organization for Standardization, May, 1991.
[ISO 9070] ISO 9070, Information Processing - SGML support
facilities - Registration Procedures for Public Text
Owner Identifiers, April, 1991.
[CCITT E.163] Recommendation E.163 - Numbering Plan for The
International Telephone Service, CCITT Blue Book,
Fascicle II.2, pp. 128-134, November, 1988.
[CCITT X.121] Recommendation X.121 - International Numbering Plan for
Public Data Networks, CCITT Blue Book, Fascicle VIII.3,
pp. 317-332, November, 1988.
[CCITT X.520] Recommendation X.520 - The Directory - Selected
Attribute Types, November 1988.
[CCITT X.521] Recommendation X.521 - The Directory - Selected Object
Classes, November 1988.
[MIME-DIR] Howes, T., Smith, M., and F. Dawson, "A MIME Content-
Type for Directory Information", RFC 2425, September
1998.
[RFC 1738] Berners-Lee, T., Masinter, L., and M. McCahill,
"Uniform Resource Locators (URL)", RFC 1738, December
1994.
[RFC 1766] Alvestrand, H., "Tags for the Identification of
Languages", RFC 1766, March 1995.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 40]
RFC 2426 vCard MIME Directory Profile September 1998
[RFC 1872] Levinson, E., "The MIME Multipart/Related Content-
type", RFC 1872, December 1995.
[RFC 2045] Freed, N., and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet
Mail Extensions (MIME) - Part One: Format of Internet
Message Bodies", RFC 2045, November 1996.
[RFC 2046] Freed, N., and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet
Mail Extensions (MIME) - Part Two: Media Types", RFC
2046, November 1996.
[RFC 2047] Moore, K., "Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
(MIME) - Part Three: Message Header Extensions for
Non-ASCII Text", RFC 2047, November 1996.
[RFC 2048] Freed, N., Klensin, J., and J. Postel, "Multipurpose
Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) - Part Four:
Registration Procedures", RFC 2048, January 1997.
[RFC 2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC 2234] Crocker, D., and P. Overell, "Augmented BNF for Syntax
Specifications: ABNF", RFC 2234, November 1997.
[UNICODE] "The Unicode Standard - Version 2.0", The Unicode
Consortium, July 1996.
[VCARD] Internet Mail Consortium, "vCard - The Electronic
Business Card Version 2.1",
http://www.imc.org/pdi/vcard-21.txt, September 18,
1996.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 41]
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10. Full Copyright Statement
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998). All Rights Reserved.
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to
others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it
or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published
and distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any
kind, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are
included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this
document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing
the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other
Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of
developing Internet standards in which case the procedures for
copyrights defined in the Internet Standards process must be
followed, or as required to translate it into languages other than
English.
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be
revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
This document and the information contained herein is provided on an
"AS IS" basis and THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET ENGINEERING
TASK FORCE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE INFORMATION
HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Dawson & Howes Standards Track [Page 42]
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