Network Working Group                                        S. Baismail
Internet-Draft                                                      GLCN
Intended status: Informational                              May 29, 2026
Expires: November 30, 2026

             Secured Digital Lifecycle Protocol (SDLP) RFC 0
                    draft-baismail-glcn-sdlp-00.txt

Abstract

   The Secured Digital Lifecycle Protocol (SDLP) defines a universal,
   lifecycle-governed framework for the creation, identity,
   transformation, distribution, and retirement of digital goods.

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S. Baismail                                                     [Page 1]

Internet-Draft                  SDLP RFC 0                      May 2026

.  Introduction

   The Secured Digital Lifecycle Protocol (SDLP) defines a structured,
   identity-anchored, lifecycle-driven model for digital goods. It
   establishes the conceptual foundation upon which all subsequent
   SDLP specifications will be built.

.  Purpose of SDLP

   SDLP exists to address three systemic issues in digital goods:
   identity ambiguity, uncontrolled duplication, and undefined
   lifecycle transitions. SDLP provides a universal framework to ensure
   that every digital object has a clear identity, lineage, and
   lifecycle.

.  Design Principles

   SDLP is governed by three core principles:

   o  P1. Identity First -- Every digital object must possess a
      persistent DigitalID.

   o  P2. Lifecycle Determinism -- Every object must exist in exactly
      one lifecycle state at any given time.

   o  P3. Transformation Integrity -- All transformations must be
      explicit, authenticated, and lineage-preserving.

.  Terminology

   DigitalID:  The persistent identity of a digital object.

   Instance:  A specific materialization of a DigitalID.

   Lifecycle State:  A protocol-defined phase of existence.

   Transformation:  A rule-governed change to an object or instance.

   Retirement:  The terminal lifecycle state.


S. Baismail                                                     [Page 2]

Internet-Draft                  SDLP RFC 0                      May 2026

.  Lifecycle Model Overview

   SDLP defines a universal lifecycle model consisting of:

   1. Creation
   2. Activation
   3. Distribution
   4. Transformation
   5. Verification
   6. Retention
   7. Retirement

   SDLP RFC 1 will define the DigitalID specification. SDLP RFC 2 will
   define the lifecycle state machine. SDLP RFC 3 will define
   transformation rules and lineage guarantees.

.  Out-of-Scope Items

   The following are explicitly out of scope for this document:

   o  Implementation details
   o  Transport mechanisms
   o  Storage formats
   o  Cryptographic algorithm selection
   o  Commercial licensing models
   o  UI or UX considerations

.  Security Considerations

   SDLP requires that all lifecycle transitions be authenticated,
   authorized, and recorded. Identity spoofing, unauthorized
   transformations, and lineage tampering must be mitigated by
   protocol-level controls defined in later SDLP documents.

.  IANA Considerations

   This document makes no requests of IANA.


S. Baismail                                                     [Page 3]

Internet-Draft                  SDLP RFC 0                      May 2026

Appendix A.  Rationale for RFC 0

   RFC 0 exists to establish the philosophical and structural
   foundation of SDLP before defining any technical mechanisms. It
   ensures that all subsequent SDLP documents share a unified
   conceptual framework.

Author's Address

   Sami Hassan Omar Baismail
   Global Legal Compliance Network (GLCN)
   Jeddah
   Saudi Arabia

   Email: shbaismail@gmail.com
   URI:   https://sites.google.com/view/glcn-compliance/
   Github: Shbaismail-droid


S. Baismail                                                     [Page 4]