Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!optilink!cramer From: cramer@optilink.UUCP (Clayton Cramer) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: PKZIP version 1.10 and data encryption Message-ID: <3320@optilink.UUCP> Date: 28 Mar 90 19:02:46 GMT References: <3726.261001b4@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> Distribution: comp Organization: Optilink Corporation, Petaluma, CA Lines: 44 In article <3726.261001b4@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>, tt3x@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes: > In article , w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (Keith Petersen) writes: # # Well folks, we have a new development - it seems the latest PKWare # # ZIP/UNZIP version 1.10 cannot be distributed on the international # # networks (Internet, Usenet, BITNET, EARN, etc), because it contains # # data encryption technology. Federal law prohibits the export of such # # technology from the USA and Canada. # # # # It's interesting to note that if the Japanese add DES encrytion to # # their LHarc program we could IMPORT it from Japan but we could not # # EXPORT it from the USA or Canada. # # # # --Keith # # I think it is just plain stupid that there is even a law prohibiting # products with data encryption algorithms to be exported out of the US. # Imagine the effectiveness of such a law in the real world? By god, I bet # that the people who we are trying to supposedly keep the software out of # could get it in a snap. I mean, they could call practically anyonone in the # US (even underground bulletin boards) and get say a copy of PC Tools or # whatever the new version of PKZIP is. # # Bobby Li Want to hear REAL stupid? A few years back, I was selling a low-end data encryption program for PCs (it was a multiple rotor style of encryption with a few interesting twists). I got an inquiry from the Norwegian Consulate in San Francisco. I wasn't sure if it would be legal to sell it or not, and since at least one order was sold to a company near NSA HQ at Fort Meade, I thought someone might be watching. So I called the Dept. of Commerce, and asked if it was legal to sell such a program to an employee of a foreign government's diplomatic service in the U.S.. "Sure. You just can't sell it outside the U.S. and Canada." Morons. Utter morons. -- Clayton E. Cramer {pyramid,pixar,tekbspa}!optilink!cramer Politicians prefer unarmed peasants. Ask the Lithuanians. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer? You must be kidding! No company would hold opinions like mine!