Catch-22

Well,
Since E-mailing a few copys of my 3DEA-PGP.ZIP file
and having said file posted on two FTP sites.
"ftp.wimsey.bc.ca" and "ripem.msu.edu"
It seems that the tax man sees $ in his eyes.
I received a nice package with letter from...

    United States Department of State
    Bureau of Politico-Militart Affairs
    Office of Defence Trade Controls

So, it came to their attention that I need to pony up $250
in order to "register" with said office.  Problem is they
want proof of my business in order to register. But, I don't
have a business.  What is it then. 

    1 - I have to register because I modify code and handed
        it out for free.
    2 - I Don't have to register because I don't have a business.
    3 - I have to register and form a business.

Thanks,
tom rollins <trollins@debbie.telos.com>

> 
>     United States Department of State
>     Bureau of Politico-Militart Affairs
>     Office of Defence Trade Controls
> 
> So, it came to their attention that I need to pony up $250
> in order to "register" with said office.  Problem is they
> want proof of my business in order to register. But, I don't
> have a business.  What is it then. 
> 
>     1 - I have to register because I modify code and handed
>         it out for free.
>     2 - I Don't have to register because I don't have a business.
>     3 - I have to register and form a business.
>

You lucky guy.

I'd suggest talking with someone who _has_ had to report to one said 
offices in the past and enlist their suggestions, perhaps Grady Ward.

- paul

trollins@debbie.telos.com (Tom Rollins) writes:

>Well,
>Since E-mailing a few copys of my 3DEA-PGP.ZIP file
>and having said file posted on two FTP sites.
>"ftp.wimsey.bc.ca" and "ripem.msu.edu"
>It seems that the tax man sees $ in his eyes.
>I received a nice package with letter from...

>    United States Department of State
>    Bureau of Politico-Militart Affairs
>    Office of Defence Trade Controls

That's interesting that they went to the effort to track you down.
Do you have any idea of how they found out about your package?  Was
that the one that started all the fooferaw on sci.crypt with PRZ
upset about someone shipping a modified version of his program?

I don't know what the legalities are of registering when you are just
doing this stuff for fun.  Talking to a lawyer will probably cost you
several hundred dollars but that may be the wisest course.  It's not
impossible that you could be charged with felony violation of the Arms
Export Control Act, with penalties up to one million dollars and ten years
in prison.  The few months I spent doing a little work on PGP in my
spare time have cost me $1000 in legal fees just to retain a lawyer and
have him keep track of the possibility of prosecution.  It's sickening,
but you can't be too careful these days.  You can certainly see where
Pr0duct Cypher and our other anonymous/pseudonymous posters are coming
from.  Good luck!

Hal