These are important, and damaging changes to the regulations. My thanks to Lucky for pointing them out. Previously, authentication technologies, signatures and integrity checkers had specific exemptions. I suggest those journalists who lurk here call companies like Digital Pathways, McAffee, Symantec, and see if they are aware of these proposed changes. Adam Lucky Green wrote: | It has been speculated in the past that certain crypto schemes, such as | proposed by Microsoft and Sun, using signed crypto plugins might be helpful | to the cause for strong crypto if non-US branches of US software companies | would certify foreign developed crypto software. | | According to the recent proposal by Commerce, this will not happen. It will | be illegal to export the software required to sign the code. So much for | the government's claim that they make no attempt to limit the export of | signing-only software. | | >From http://www.steptoe.com/commerce.htm | | [Listing specific software prohibited from export] | "c.2. "Software" to certify "software" controlled by 5D002.c.1; " | | And, btw, virus checkers are also prohibited from export. Makes you wonder. | | "c.3. "Software" designed or modified to protect against malicious computer | damage, e.g., viruses;" | | | -- 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 | -- "It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." -Hume