At 05:34 PM 12/11/96 -0800, Timothy C. May wrote:
They're really looking desperate, aren't they? They try to limit the export of crypto software, they try to limit the export of anything with "hooks" for adding crypto outside the U.S., they try to limit export of crypto knowledge, and here they're even trying to limit _signing_ software?
They have a very simple bottom line. Ban strong crypto. Eliminate loopholes.
What's next? Maybe they'll try to limit the dispensing of _legal advice_ by U.S. attorneys to foreign clients. (I keep using the phrase "they try to" becuase obviously few of these schemes to keep the horses in the barn will work.)
Official Prediction (For new readers of this list, once in a while I make an "official prediction". That means the reader is urged to call me on it and, yes, I take bets): The US will make the following acts illegal and or subject to licensing within two years: 1. Production of strong crypto for sale abroad by a subsidiary of a US corporation. 2. Production of strong crypto for sale abroad, if the project is financed by a US corporation. Alternatively, US companies might be prohibited to financially benefit from such a product. I am not saying that these acts will be prohibited in all cases. I am saying that they will be prohibited in some cases. -- Lucky Green <mailto:shamrock@netcom.com> PGP encrypted mail preferred Make your mark in the history of mathematics. Use the spare cycles of your PC/PPC/UNIX box to help find a new prime. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/justforfun/prime.htm