--On 2004-1-29 7:52 PM -0800 Adrian Hunsdon <axh(_at_)uniplex(_dot_)com> wrote:
I agree there are circumstances where anonymity may be acceptable but
in these cases it is most definitely not.
Prior art exists for "anonymous cash" transactions. In a three-way
handshake, the seller can prove a buyer did, and the buyer can prove he
paid, and both can remain anonymous, while still allowing an ombudsman
to mediate disputes in the transaction. I would have to go dig for the
references on this, but I'm sure Google would give everyone a head
start. E-mail is a similar application, and I'm certain we can leverage
off that prior art, although I'm also sure there are patent issues
involved. It's still worth investigating, though.
--lyndon