Scott James Remnant wrote: > On Sat, 2003-09-06 at 13:49, Mathieu Roy wrote: > > Edmund GRIMLEY EVANS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> a tapot?? : > > > A signature made with a secret key that was published on Usenet can > > > hardly be a valid proof of anything. > > > > In some countries like in France it's truly accepted in court like a > > valid proof, you just have to follow some rules. I don't think the > > France is an exception in this matter. > > > This is true in the UK as well.
Not surprising, since both the UK and France had to implement EU Directive 1999/93/EG. This directive says, basically, that any 'advanced electronic signature' based on a qualified certificate and generated using a secure device shall be treated the same as a signature in ink on paper. My reading of the Directive is that it only applies if you use a secure smartcard and some TTP like a notary public is involved. http://europa.eu.int/ISPO/ecommerce/legal/documents/1999_93/1999_93_en.pdf Arnoud -- Arnoud Engelfriet, Dutch patent attorney - Speaking only for myself Patents, copyright and IPR explained for techies: http://www.iusmentis.com/
