Re: A2-DES 1.0 DES encryption for the Apple II (1/1)

[sheldon@netcom.com (Sheldon Simms)]

In article <1994Mar30.020620.24354@uts.amdahl.com> fadden@uts.amdahl.com (Andy McFadden) writes:

>And, of course, RSA has a patent on the algorithm used in PGP, so
>technically it's illegal to use PGP *inside* the United States for
>other than educational purposes.  But, software patents are stupid, so
>who cares?  (The Compton multimedia patent was overturned!  Yay!!)

Well the ban on exporting DES and other encryption systems is just
as foolish and personally I would feel perfectly comfortable putting
up DES or any other encryption system on my ftp site, if I had one.

As an example of the sillyness of this stupid ban, Dr. Dobbs journal
just had an issue where the main subject was encryption, and in the magazine
were several encryption algorithms. Encryption algorithms and technology
are common knowledge. To ban export of software with encryption algorithms
is like banning the export of compilers with optimization algorithms or
banning the export of cars with fuel injection.

The only encryption algorithm the NSA wants exportable is skipjack, and
I'm so sure all of those foreign companies and governments are going
to buy equipment that the NSA has a key to...

-Sheldon


-- 

 W. Sheldon Simms        | Newt's Friend / Jack Kemp for President
 sheldon@netcom.com      | Freedom implies responsibility 
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