@Maksim if/when you get this, I have a specific question for you regarding access to the usps arcgis system. Feel free to email me at the email address in my profile.

@SamClemens Hey whats your question?

I was wondering if the usps gis rest api for eddm mailing is supposed to be publicly accessible.

@SamClemens no it is not, it is proprietary

By publicly accessible, I mean that in the same way that the eddm tool here (eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/routeSearch.action) accesses it.

As in, if one could bypass that tool to automatically generate their forms non-interactively, specifically for the purpose of creating an eddm mailer, would that be within the terms of use?

eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/terms-conditions.action

I believe that is not possible.

"User agrees interaction with the Online Interface is for the sole purpose to facilitate use of the USPS® Every Door Direct Mail - Retail® and Every Door Direct Mail® services."

would direct use of the rest api fall under this provision?

I'm not familiar with the legality behind this. From what I do know, we don't let anyone do what you are suggesting.

It seems as though the spirit of the terms of use is that the online interface not be abused for non-eddm purposes. Would there be any harm in an end user essentially "replicating" the functionality of the eddm tool to be automated rather than interactive?

@SamClemens I would take that up with USPS Legal Services, that's out of my scope.

@Maksim Thanks for your help. Just so you're aware, the rest api is publicly accessible, presumably as necessitated by the existence of a public front-end. I don't want to post any links to it here.

@SamClemens I just got further clarification about what you are trying to do, it is possible, you would just need to request permission.

@Maksim Oh, thanks! What form would that request take, and to whom would it be directed?

@SamClemens I cannot find your email address

@Maksim Should be on my user page. No matter: lawnguy1835@gmail.com