re secret algorithm re clipper chip and crypto key escrow one presumes the system could work as follows a blank clips are manufactured by mykotronx and vlsi the number produced is carefully audited and they are shipped to the first escrow house it programs the chips with its half the key and prints out a paper slip with the key half and non secret chip serial number the reams of paper are filed in locked boxes in the vault a fuse is burnt in the chip so that the key is now unreadable the chip then goes to the next escrow house where the same thing is done this continues through n escrow houses perhaps could be more than the last one provides the chip to the cellular phone maker and yes this has to be a public key system or it would be almost impossible to handle it might not be rsa but that does not mean that pkp doesn t get paid until pkp has the patent on the general concept of public key encryption as well as the particular implementation known as rsa brad templeton clarinet communications corp sunnyvale ca
