Starting fresh. The more I look into this the more I'm starting to think that the Apache export control instructions [1] are leading us in the wrong direction.
>From what I've been able to determine, the classification code comes not only from the strength of the encryption, but also the use of the software. For example, strong encryption (based on key length) might end up in different classifications depending on whether it is a general purpose encryption library, a "mass market" product, a server product, etc. It is not just about key length. The Apache instructions seem to say that all paths lead to 5D002. Maybe this is true for strong encryption in the typical Apache developer libraries or server-side products. But OpenOffice.org is not your typical Apache product, is it? If you look at how commercial derivatives of OpenOffice.org are treated, such as IBM Lotus Symphony or LibreOffice Novell Edition, you see that they are classified as 5D992, not 5D002. But I do not see 5D992 mentioned at all on the Apache page on handling cryptography. Until we better understand that discrepancy, I don't think we should blindly follow the 5D002 route. Is there anyone at Apache who really understands these things in a more general way, e.g., understands the implications of "mass market" software? -Rob [1] http://www.apache.org/dev/crypto.html
