---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 06:31:45 -0600 (MDT)
From: Ryan R. Snyder <rye@denver.net>
To: w00f@ism.net
Subject: w00f: PGP approved for export
=09=09PGP crypto approved for
export=20
By Tim Clark and Alex Lash
May 28, 1997, 7 p.m. PT=20
The U.S. government has granted an encryption
export license to one of the biggest thorns in its
side.=20
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 approved
only 128-bit encryption exports for technology that
protects financial transactions, but PGP technology
can encrypt any kind of digital communication.=20
PGP's founder, cryptographer Phil Zimmermann,
became something of a cause celebre when he
posted his PGP software 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.=20
The company said tonight that more than half of
Fortune 100 companies use its email software.=20
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.=20
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.=20
=20
Copyright =A9 1995-97 CNET, Inc. All rights reserved
--- Ryan R. Snyder rye@denver.net Internet Specialist "The world needs open hearts and open minds, and it is not through rigid systems, whether old or new, that these can be derived." -Bertrand Russell