US crypto laws? Need help!

Hi!

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?

Thank a lot, Jean

---
let's all be different, just like me.
---
    Jean Chouanard                   | Jean.Chouanard@Grenoble.RXRC.Xerox.com
Networks & Systems Eng.              |        Rank Xerox Research Centre
 Fax: (33) 76 61 51 99               |           6, Ch de maupertuis
 Ph:  (33) 76 61 50 90               |           38240 Meylan FRANCE

Jean Chouanard writes:
> 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.

There are no restrictions on the use of cryptography inside the
U.S. of any kind. There are restrictions on exporting cryptography,
and in some instances that can, technically, be giving a foreign
person information on cryptography. However, you are allowed to use
any crypto system your heart desires -- no regulations on it at all.

Perry

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"

On Wed, 10 Apr 1996, Jean Chouanard wrote:

> 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?

You need to get an export licence if you want to be legal; however, this 
sort of licence is more or less automatic, and should only take a few 
weeks to process.

Simon

---
They say in  online country             So which side are you on boys
There is no middle way                  Which side are you on
You'll either be a Usenet man           Which side are you on boys
Or a thug for the CDA                   Which side are you on?
  National Union of Computer Operatives; Hackers, local 37   APL-CPIO

Jean Chouanard writes:

: Hi!
: 
: 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?
: 
: Thank a lot, Jean

In the U.S. there is no restriction on such a foreigner using crypto,
but it is supposedly a serious crime (ten years in jail and a million
dollar fine maximum) for anyone to disclose cryptographic software to
him or explain how it works.

--
Peter D. Junger--Case Western Reserve University Law School--Cleveland, OH
Internet:  junger@pdj2-ra.f-remote.cwru.edu    junger@samsara.law.cwru.edu