Post Tagged with: "encryption research"

61 Reforms to C-61, Day 27: TPMs – Encryption Research Exception Restricts Peer Review

Bill C-61's encryption research exception also potentially creates a restriction on peer review, an essential part of the scientific process.  The current exception at Section 41.13(3) provides that circumvention devices (ie. software programs) may be distributed if for the purpose of encryption research and the researcher:

(a) uses that technology, device or component only for that purpose; or
(b) provides that technology, device or component only for that purpose to another person who is collaborating with the person

In other words, a circumvention device distributor can provide it to an encryption researcher and the researcher can provide it to other researchers with whom they are collaborating.  While this covers access to circumvention devices for encryption researchers and their research team, it would not appear to cover non-affiliated researchers who might be asked to conduct peer review on the encryption research.

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July 28, 2008 5 comments News

61 Reforms to C-61, Day 26: TPMs – Encryption Research Exception Requires Notice

As discussed in the last entry, Bill C-61 includes an exception for encryption research much like the U.S. DMCA.  The U.S. DMCA exception has been widely criticized as providing insufficient legal protection for legitimate encryption research, leading to significant concerns in the research community about the prospect for liability.  The […]

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July 28, 2008 16 comments News