jim bell proposes "crypto hooks":

1. Write a program with limited encryption (40 bit?), with the encryption module in a file external to the main program. 2. Get export approval for this program. 3. Write a module which replaces the encryption file, increasing key size to whatever you REALLY wanted in the first place. (128-bit IDEA, 2000-bit PGP, etc.) 4. Ship that new module with the old software to US customers. Naturally, that new module will "leak," so anybody who buys the old program out of the country can convert to a fully-functional version by downloading it from a foreign bbs that just happens to have it. The module can be encrypted/signed by the manufacturer so everyone can be sure of its identity and genuineness.

Better than nothing, I suppose.

"Crypto hooks," basically the scheme you are proposing, were thought of by the authorities and are not a bypass of the crypto export laws. --Tim May Views here are not the views of my Internet Service Provider or Government. ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@got.net 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^756839 | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders are just speed bumps on the information superhighway."