US grants export license for PGP

[Lucky Green]

http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,11048,00.html?ticker.ms.ie40


PGP crypto approved for export
By Tim Clark and Alex Lash
May 28, 1997, 7 p.m. PTThe U.S. government has granted an encryption 
export license to one of the biggest thorns in its side.
Pretty Good Privacy says it has won approval to export strong encryption 
technology overseas. The license allows PGP to export technology up to 
128 bits; the government's regular licenses only allow up to 56 bits. To 
date, the government has only approved 128-bit encryption exports for 
technology that protects financial transactions but PGP technology can 
encrypt any kind of digital communication.
PGP was founded by cryptographer Phil Zimmermann. Zimmerman became 
something of a cause celebre when he posted his PGP technology on the Net 
in defiance of laws prohibiting international distribution of encryption 
technology. Zimmermann came close to going to jail before the government 
dropped its case against him.
The company said tonight that it counts more than half of Fortune 100 
companies use its email software.
PGP still has another old foe to worry about. Encryption software giant 
RSA Data Security earlier this month filed a patent infringement lawsuit 
against PGP. The suit alleged that PGP is unlawfully using RSA technology 
licensed to Lemcom before its merger with PGP in 1996. PGP officials say 
RSA's claims are without merit.



-- Lucky Green <mailto:shamrock at netcom.com> PGP encrypted mail preferred