IP: Problems with SAFE and ProCODE

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 16:19:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>


Dave,


I've read a lot of posts on IP about the House and
Senate bills (SAFE and ProCODE) that have been said to
eliminate export controls on encryption products. But
in reality they're much less beneficial and, some say,
even dangerous.


IP readers may remember that EFF is leading one of the
challenges to the export rules on behalf of Prof.
Bernstein. I interviewed his lawyers recently, who told
me that if not fixed SAFE and ProCODE might not help
Bernstein's ability to teach and publish about
cryptography -- and could even hurt Bernstein's case.


My report is at:


  http://pathfinder.com/netly/opinion/0,1042,1022,00.html


It's timely to keep this in mind as the chairman of the
Senate Judiciary committee is talking about requiring
key escrow in specific circumstances. He could block
ProCODE or add such a provision to legislation
already in his committee. And the chair of Senate
Commerce appears willing to reach a compromise with
the administration.


Also, oral arguments in the Bernstein case are set
for 10:30 AM this Wednesday, June 18 before Judge
Patel in Federal District Court in San Francisco.


-Declan










******Remember  19 June in San Fran******


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