Jim Bidzos, Pres. of RSA Data Security, sent me a nice note this evening in response to my posting on sci.crypt. In that post, I suggested that only RSA has the algorithms and protocols ready to go for an alternative to Clipper, and that perhaps we should set aside our differences with RSA (over patents on software, etc.) and instead seek an alliance. Basically, Jim said he knew *nothing* of Clipper until he read about it in the Friday morning papers!! If true, this is astounding. (And having met Jim several times, I believe him.) He's also preparing a FAQ entitled "RSA/PKP/Clipper Flap FAQ" to deal with the many questions raised. Jim has some interesting theories about the motivations for Clipper, and why AT&T was so quick to jump on the bandwagon. Please don't quote my comments in public discussions of this issue (Jim asked me not to, which is why I'm being vaguely elliptic here.) This is all I can say for now, but I remain convinced that RSA was not involved (I suspect the presence of "jim@rsa.com" on the NIST mailing list, as reported in this group by a couple of folks, is not necessarily the cabal that put Clipper together). Interesting times indeed! -Tim May -- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, collapse of governments. Higher Power: 2^756839 | Public Key: MailSafe and PGP available.