Re: Crypto problems again

[Jesper Harder <harder@ifa.au.dk>]

Wes Hardaker <wes@hardakers.net> writes:

>>>>>> On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 23:18:46 +0100, Jesper Harder <harder@ifa.au.dk> said:
>
> Jesper> We recommend that you perform IP checking and deny downloads
> Jesper> to known embargoed countries. This due diligence also would
> Jesper> provide a defense to a claim of civil liability. If you find
> Jesper> out that your software has been downloaded to a prohibited
> Jesper> destination, then I recommend that you block future downloads
> Jesper> to that specific site unless and until you obtain a license
> Jesper> from BXA.
>
> That last part seems to imply that after you get a license you should
> release the block.  This paragraph makes no sense, since you can't do
> the first part until after you write BXA and the second part isn't
> required after you write the BXA.

I think what they mean is:

  If you become aware that an evil Taleban is downloading cryptoEmacs,
  you should block his IP unless you obtain permission to export it to
  Taleban controlled Afghanistan.  You won't get this permission, of
  course, so the IP should stay blocked.

> It's almost written like an opinion that even though you can release
> it to one of the 7 evil countries of the world (TM) (or is it now 5
> since we took over 2 of them?) you shouldn't do so because it would
> be morally wrong.

I don't think that's the intent.  It might make more sense if you read
the context, <http://www.debian.org/legal/cryptoinmain> near the
bottom.