Re: Let's Say "No!" to Single, World Versions of Software

[tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May)]

At 7:51 PM 7/31/96, Mark M. wrote:

>On Tue, 30 Jul 1996, Tom Weinstein wrote:
>
>> We won't do this.  Our domestic version will always contain the
>> strongest crypto we can provide.
>
>Then what is the concern about anonymous arms-traffickers uploading the strong
>crypto version to foreign FTP sites?  I recall you saying that the State
>Department might revoke Netscape's "permission" to provide a domestic version
>if it was exported.

I believe the issue involves Netscape's _method of distribution_, that is,
its placement of Navigator on a publically-accessible site with various
"checks" of who is trying to download it.

This is something the State Department could theoretically get involved
with, due to the ITARs and the way they are worded.

Actually approving of disapproving a piece of software for sale to U.S.
citizens is not currently possible.

(Though this is worrisome, speculatively. Various other weapons, such as
nukes and CBW, are in fact prohibited for sale to private citizens unless
approved. And sales of various guns are limited. So, if "crypto is a
munition," the same could perhaps apply. This runs into the "crypto as
speech" issue, of course.)

--Tim May

Boycott "Big Brother Inside" software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net  408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Licensed Ontologist         | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."