Export redux

[ciphergoth]

Eli Biham, the famous cryptographer who works from Haifa, Israel, can't send me software that verifies certain security properties of the Serpent encryption algorithm, because the DTI consider it would violate UK export controls.

Yes, you read that right.

> Following a discussion on sci.crypt, I was wondering if you'd consider
> sharing the software you used to show that Serpent has no differential
> or linear trails better than the bounds given in Table 1 of the paper,
> so that this result can be independently verified?

Paul

The DTI are now maintaining that, following some regulations they made
under the European Communities Act and didn't tell anyone about at the
time, the intangible export of dual-use list items from the UK is
illegal. Their definition of export includes not just me sending
anything to you (since you might then give it to a foreigner) but
also Lars or Eli sending something to you (for the same reason). Import
is export, war is love, big brother is watching you.

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/exportbill.html

Comments

[wechsler.livejournal.com]

On the same logic (much as I hate to abuse the word in that way) they may as well claim it's illeagal for two brits to hand each other something in the street, in case they then gave it to a foreigner. It gives the lie to any thoughts of living in a democracy, if these "regualtions" can just be added at will.

Oh and as a meaningless and bored aside, why "war is love" and not "war is peace"? If I remember my 1984 correctly, Minitrue was in charge of propoganda and censorship, Miniluv in charge of civil repression, and Minipax in charge of war. All pies into which the DTI seem to have thrust their fingers with great enthusiasm.

[giolla.livejournal.com]

I believe that your memory of 1984 is correct.
Obs Lyrics:
OysterBand (http://www.oysrerband.co.uk/) - Everywhere I go:

"And the naked truth has an unmarked grave between the waves on your radio
And war is peace and peace is war and less is more and yes is no"