http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,11048,00.html?ticker.ms.ie40 PGP crypto approved for export By Tim Clark and Alex Lash May 28, 1997, 7 p.m. PTThe U.S. government has granted an encryption export license to one of the biggest thorns in its side. Pretty Good Privacy says it has won approval to export strong encryption technology overseas. The license allows PGP to export technology up to 128 bits; the government's regular licenses only allow up to 56 bits. To date, the government has only approved 128-bit encryption exports for technology that protects financial transactions but PGP technology can encrypt any kind of digital communication. PGP was founded by cryptographer Phil Zimmermann. Zimmerman became something of a cause celebre when he posted his PGP technology on the Net in defiance of laws prohibiting international distribution of encryption technology. Zimmermann came close to going to jail before the government dropped its case against him. The company said tonight that it counts more than half of Fortune 100 companies use its email software. PGP still has another old foe to worry about. Encryption software giant RSA Data Security earlier this month filed a patent infringement lawsuit against PGP. The suit alleged that PGP is unlawfully using RSA technology licensed to Lemcom before its merger with PGP in 1996. PGP officials say RSA's claims are without merit. -- Lucky Green <mailto:shamrock@netcom.com> PGP encrypted mail preferred