>From NewsScan Daily:
NEW EU ENCRYPTION EXPORT RULE LOOSER THAN U.S.
The European Union has agreed to relax the rules for exporting encryption
software, lifting almost all restrictions on encryption exports among the 15
EU countries and 10 other countries -- the U.S., Japan, Canada, Switzerland,
Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland -- which
together make up over 80% of the world market. The new EU rules eliminate
the need to secure approval from national licensing bodies and do away with
security checks for all encryption products with the exception of so-called
crypto-analytic tools, which can be used to test systems and crack codes.
Companies will need only to promise that the end user of the encryption
product is in one of the 25 countries approved. Exports to countries outside
that group will be subject to current restrictions. The move puts U.S.
encryption companies once again at a disadvantage, despite a liberalization
of export rules that took effect in January. And although U.S. companies are
likely to respond by pushing for further reforms, it's not likely that the
government will oblige. (Wall Street Journal 28 Apr 2000)
http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB956867771608897487.htm
--
Perry Metzger [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
"Ask not what your country can force other people to do for you..."
