New US regs ban downloadable data-security software

Bill Stewart stewarts at ix.netcom.com
Tue Jan 14 12:08:00 PST 1997


>> Therefore, it would seem that, as long as the security software on your ftp
>> or WWW site is free of cost, it is OK to keep it there.  Commercial
>> security software, however, remains export-restricted.

>  I can't believe that there's no one taking advantage of this to make a
>'shareware' version of their software available, and having available, 
>for export and sale, an 'enabler' to bring it to full functionality.

In particular, if you allow free non-commercial evaluation of beta software,
e.g. McAfee's virus protection software, that would probably qualify.

It's interesting that they've structured their requirements to try to stay
within the Constitutionally authorized powers (regulation of interstate
and foreign commerce) while leaving out freeware which might lead to
an annoying legal challenge.

#			Thanks;  Bill
# Bill Stewart, +1-415-442-2215 stewarts at ix.netcom.com
# You can get PGP outside the US at ftp.ox.ac.uk/pub/crypto/pgp
#     (If this is a mailing list, please Cc: me on replies.  Thanks.)







More information about the cypherpunks-legacy mailing list