Search      Advanced • Tips  News.com all CNET the Web

Click Here! Click Here!

ADVERTISEMENT Microsoft Quick sign-up!     Latest headlines display on desktop Enterprise Computing Industry leaders assess new export limits Microsoft juggled books, '96 suit alleged The week in review: Free PCs plans reach new level Software maker Corel draws patent lawsuit Officials make arrests, seize stolen CPUs Intel hits roadblocks on eight-way server push Communications SBC merger could boost DSL competition US West could decide on Qwest�s buyout bid this week Cable & Wireless buys U.K. Internet business The Net Drkoop, AOL ink $89 million content deal State of Hawaii Web site vandalized VH1.com readies e-commerce, auctions Markets sparkle ahead of holiday Personal Technology Hitachi and Intel agree to standardized chip specs Real stock sings on WebTV deal E-Commerce Toys "R" Us online chief backs out E-commerce firm Intershop lampoons IBM e-business ads Bigstep takes first step, enters crowded territory Look out Amazon, Wal-Mart's coming Services and Consulting Ericsson, AOL in telecom deal Did you miss a day? One Week View  A D V E R T I S E M E N T    Special Offers  from our sponsors Egghead's Bid On?? Get it all @SpotShop Save Now! 3.9% Visa.

Legislators push digital signature approval
By Bloomberg News
Special to CNET News.com
May 6, 1999, 3:25 p.m. PT

WASHINGTON--U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation designed to promote online commerce by giving electronic signatures the same legal validity as hand-written ones.

Companies such as America Online and Microsoft claim the measure would make it easier to verify identities of buyers and sellers on the Internet. Charles Schwab also supports the bill introduced in the House of Representatives today, claiming it will facilitate stock purchases on the Web.

The Commerce Department

Quote Snapshot
July 6, 1999, 7:45 a.m. PT
VeriSign Inc. VRSN
89.5000	+4.5625	+5.37%
by symbol  by name     More from CNET Investor Quotes delayed 20+ minutes

projects that retailing on the Internet could reach $30 billion by next year, though officials have said privacy protection and security concerns could hamper that growth. Some states have different laws regarding so-called digital signatures, and a national set of rules will encourage their use, proponents say.

"This bill will help promote electronic commerce by giving consumers and businesses greater confidence and peace of mind about their online transactions," said House Commerce Committee chairman Tom Bliley (R-Virginia), one of the bill's cosponsors.

The Senate is considering a similar measure. Last year, Congress approved a measure that required federal agencies to start using digital signatures for online transactions.

"Providing legal certainty to electronic signatures and records will encourage the acceptance and use of electronic authentication," AOL general counsel George Vradenburg wrote in a letter to Bliley dated today.

The new bill doesn't advocate any specific digital-signature technology, though it's likely to benefit companies such as VeriSign, which makes software that helps provide secure transactions on the Internet. The House measure would allow digital signatures to be used to verify any contract or agreement for "interstate or foreign commerce."

The bill also requires Commerce to examine rules on digital signatures in other countries and to promote their acceptance worldwide.

Other sponsors of the bill include Reps. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), Billy Tauzin (R-Louisiana), and Tom Davis (R-Virginia).

Copyright 1999, Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved.

Related news stories
• Digital signature bill hits Congress March 26, 1999
• Pennsylvania seeks to legalize digital ID March 19, 1999
• Europe deadlocked over digital signatures November 30, 1998

FREE Newsletter	sample >

Click Here! Click Here!

Contact us | Member services | Help

CNET Services: Stock Quotes • Tech Auctions • Tech News • Web Services • Free Downloads • Search • Games • Latest Products • Find a New PC • Find an ISP • Lowest Prices • Cool Toys • Web Building • Help • Tech Jobs • Free Email

Free Newsletter!

Subscribe | How to advertise | Corrections | CNET Jobs | CNET Support | Message Boards

About CNET

Back to Top

Copyright © 1995-99 CNET, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy policy.