From: "Michael Froomkin - U.Miami School of Law" <froomkin@LAW.MIAMI.EDU> Subject: IP: Crypto News Flash (fwd) To: CYBERIA-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM
Amazing if true. Part of my amazement is that Sen. Kerry, who I think of as somewhat moderate if not somewhat liberal, would be a party to this.
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---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 12:51:01 -0400 From: David Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu> Subject: IP: Crypto News Flash
CyberWire Dispatch // Copyright (c) 1997 // May 1997
Jacking in from the "Take My Crypto, Please" port:
Washington, DC--A new anti-crypto bill now floating around Washington would place restrictions on the import of strong crypto products into the U.S. and possibly outlaw the use of non-government approved encryption products.
During a morning briefing at the Capitol, Sen. Bob Kerry (D-Neb.), talking about his impending new crypto bill, which he will call the "Secure Public Interest Act" said that the bill WILL include IMPORT restrictions on crypto software.
Incredible. We've heard rumblings the folks behind crypto strangling efforts would jump to import controls on crypto software if key escrow weren't widely adopted.
Restricting imports, of course, is a kind of de facto domestic restriction as well. It means that companies can't import strong foreign made crypto products to use in their worldwide offices, forcing them to use the govt. mandated weaker crypto products.
Next step: outlawing some domestic crypto products.
Kerry, when asked if there would be restrictions on private encryption, said "I don't envision that at the outset, but it might end up in the bill."
Meeks out...
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