Also, if by "free distribution" you mean putting it on a web site, I recall you are technically required to inform the Export Authorities (aka the Department of Commerce BXA). Probably a felony if you don't, depending on whether you're distributing source or object code, though I doubt you'd be prosecuted, but you may want to check into this rather than relying on my hazy recollection. -Declan On Sat, Sep 01, 2001 at 11:19:43PM -0700, Tim May wrote:
On Sunday, September 2, 2001, at 01:44 AM, Dave wrote:
Im writing a toy for personal use that i may give away sooner or later, are there limits on how strong i can make the crypto max key length for personal, use for free distrubtion inside the us? Not sure on the exact legalities involved if i gave it way... Some help would be nice.
There are no restrictions whatsoever...except...
-- you can't give certain kinds of crypto to Bad People (Hizbollah, Bader-Meinhof, Kurds in Turkey (OK to give to Kurds in Iraq), and so on...consult the List of Bad People).
-- your program may be subject to a Secrecy Order, similar to the one that silenced the inventor of the PhasorPhone. If this happens you will not be able to disclose your invention to anyone and you may be unable to even reveal that you are under such a Secrecy Order.
Other than these possibilities, go for it, dude.
--Tim May