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Re: Signature types

2005-08-27 02:21:07

Daniel A. Nagy wrote:
> ... [some stuff]

On that section, but not on Daniel's question, it occurs to
me that the caveat found half way down ("Please note that
the vagueness...") could be usefully expanded to cover all
of 5.2.1.

Something like:

5.2.1. Signature Types

  There are a number of possible meanings for a signature.
  By convention, OpenPGP suggests meanings by the following
  signature type octets in any given signature.

  Please note that the vagueness of these signature claims
  is not a flaw, but a feature of the system.  Cryptographic
  signing technology alone cannot make these claims true,
  and a relying party would need to examine the intentions
  of any signer, and the wider context of the system and
  environment in order to assess any claims.  OpenPGP places
  final authority and responsibility on the receiver of any
  signature.

  0x01:...

Which then allows a simplification of the post-0x13 comment:

  0x13:...

    Please note that one authority's casual certification
    might be more rigorous than some other authority's
    positive certification. These classifications allow a
    certification authority to issue fine-grained claims.

    Most OpenPGP implementations make their "key signatures" as 0x10
    certifications. Some implementations can issue 0x11-0x13
    certifications, but few differentiate between the types.


As an alternate, such general commentary could append to the
end of the section - but in legal terms, if it is a warning
as to limitations, it should be at the front.  Given the
somewhat poisoned waters of digital signatures, I'd prefer
to see the disclaims before any claims.

iang

PS: are we in final call already?


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