Re: Crypto Law Survey

Thank you for your useful survey.  May I make two comments about 
the US section?  First, many lawyers believe the ITAR to be 
unconstitutional as applied to some or all cryptographic 
algorithims and software; a court test is likely within the next 
few years.   Second, the American Bar Association Section on 
Science and Technology's Information Security Committee is 
drafting Guidelines and Model Legislation which, if they are 
ever completed, will improve upon the Utah initiative.  
Meanwhile, other states, including California, are considering 
bills that are similar to Utah's.
-- 
Michael Froomkin                   until Aug 6: michael@umlaw.demon.co.uk
U.Miami School of Law                                     London, England
mfroomki@umiami.ir.miami.edu <-- this will still find me
PO Box 248087 Coral Gables, FL 33124-8087 "Rain in parts, then dry" --BBC
See http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/6095/articles/froomkin-metaphor/text.html

This list might usefully be supplemented by an electronic censorship 
law review as the two issues are inextricably intertwined.  There is a news 
piece in the 20th July issue of NATURE saying that in the UK, the Lord 
Chancellor, Lord Mackay of Clashfern will be floating draft legislation 
to protect ISP's from defamation actions brought about by posts from 
their users.  Mackay's Defamation Bill does not address USENET and 
moderated discussion groups apparently.  Do our UK-centric readers have 
any more details on the proposals?

C. J. Leonard                     (    /      "DNA is groovy"
                                   \ /                - Watson & Crick
<cjl@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu>      / \     <--  major groove
                                  (    \
Finger for public key               \   )
Strong-arm for secret key             /    <--  minor groove
Thumb-screws for pass-phrase        /   )