Re: US crypto laws? Need help!

[Dave Del Torto <ddt@lsd.com>]

In Reply to the Message wherein it was written:

>I was wondering if a foreigner like, with a valid work visa but not a
>permanet green card, is allowed to use crypto in the state.
>
>If yes, is there any restriction? Depending on crypto methods?

Don't take this as legal advice, since I'm neither a lawyer nor French, but
if you're a French citizen, there may be more restrictions concerning
"utilisation du systemes cryptographique" placed on you by your _own_
government - no matter what your location is worldwide - than the US' ITAR
regs (governing "export" of crypto restrictions will place on you when
working here in the US).

Especially if you're _working_ in the US, (depending on the exact length
and specifications listed on your work permit itself - see the nearest
embassy*) I believe you're allowed to _use_ crypto systems _here_ (it might
even help if it was part of your work), as long as you are supervised in
some way and do not take them away with you (clearly a serious violation
under ITAR). Someone please correct me if I err here.

You - or better yet, your company's legal representative - should contact
the U.S. Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls (ODTC) at
<URL:pgpfone:/+1.703.875.6644>**. At the _very_ least, you enjoy an
slightly overlong yet entertaining bureaucratic journey.

Bon Voyage! ;)

   dave


*
The Embassy of France (in the US):
4101 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington D.C. 20007;
telephone (202) 944-6000; fax (202) 944-6072.

US Embassies in France:
The U.S. Embassy in Paris is located at 2 Avenue Gabriel, telephone (33)
1-43-12-22-22, fax (33) 1-42-66-97-83. The Consular Section is located one
block away, across the Place de la Concorde, at 2 Rue St. Florentin, fax
(33) 1-42-61-61-40.
The U.S. Consulate in Marseille is located at 12 Boulevard Paul Peytral,
telephone (33) 91-54-92-00, fax (33) 91-55-09-47.
The U.S. Consulate in Strasbourg is located at 15 Avenue d'Alsace,
telephone (33) 88-35-31-04, fax (33) 88-24-06-95.
There is a Consular Agent in Nice, at 31 Rue du Marechal Joffre, telephone
(33) 93-88-89-55, fax (33) 93-87-07-38.

**relax, you don't have to visit netscape.com for the new html spec, it's
just a joke. Well, for now, anyway... ;)


_________________________________
"A furore Normannorum libera nos"