In Reply to the Message wherein it was written:

I was wondering if a foreigner like, with a valid work visa but not a permanet green card, is allowed to use crypto in the state.

If yes, is there any restriction? Depending on crypto methods?

Don't take this as legal advice, since I'm neither a lawyer nor French, but if you're a French citizen, there may be more restrictions concerning "utilisation du systemes cryptographique" placed on you by your _own_ government - no matter what your location is worldwide - than the US' ITAR regs (governing "export" of crypto restrictions will place on you when working here in the US). Especially if you're _working_ in the US, (depending on the exact length and specifications listed on your work permit itself - see the nearest embassy*) I believe you're allowed to _use_ crypto systems _here_ (it might even help if it was part of your work), as long as you are supervised in some way and do not take them away with you (clearly a serious violation under ITAR). Someone please correct me if I err here. You - or better yet, your company's legal representative - should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls (ODTC) at <URL:pgpfone:/+1.703.875.6644>**. At the _very_ least, you enjoy an slightly overlong yet entertaining bureaucratic journey. Bon Voyage! ;) dave * The Embassy of France (in the US): 4101 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington D.C. 20007; telephone (202) 944-6000; fax (202) 944-6072. US Embassies in France: The U.S. Embassy in Paris is located at 2 Avenue Gabriel, telephone (33) 1-43-12-22-22, fax (33) 1-42-66-97-83. The Consular Section is located one block away, across the Place de la Concorde, at 2 Rue St. Florentin, fax (33) 1-42-61-61-40. The U.S. Consulate in Marseille is located at 12 Boulevard Paul Peytral, telephone (33) 91-54-92-00, fax (33) 91-55-09-47. The U.S. Consulate in Strasbourg is located at 15 Avenue d'Alsace, telephone (33) 88-35-31-04, fax (33) 88-24-06-95. There is a Consular Agent in Nice, at 31 Rue du Marechal Joffre, telephone (33) 93-88-89-55, fax (33) 93-87-07-38. **relax, you don't have to visit netscape.com for the new html spec, it's just a joke. Well, for now, anyway... ;) _________________________________ "A furore Normannorum libera nos"

Jean Chouanard writes: : Hi! : : I was wondering if a foreigner like, with a valid work visa but not a : permanet green card, is allowed to use crypto in the state. : : If yes, is there any restriction? Depending on crypto methods? : : Thank a lot, Jean In the U.S. there is no restriction on such a foreigner using crypto, but it is supposedly a serious crime (ten years in jail and a million dollar fine maximum) for anyone to disclose cryptographic software to him or explain how it works. -- Peter D. Junger--Case Western Reserve University Law School--Cleveland, OH Internet: junger@pdj2-ra.f-remote.cwru.edu junger@samsara.law.cwru.edu