EU Draft Digital Signature Directive

[Ian Johnson]

From: John Williams <johnwill@bcsphcsg.demon.co.uk>
> Agreed.  It is surely true for written signatures.  If you know me, and
> see me sign a cheque made out to you - then you don't need my signature
> witnessed,  or somehow authorised by a notary.  You are simply left
> wondering if I have the funds in my bank account.  Even the bank doesn't
> ask for a third party certification of my signature.  Why should a
> digital signature be any different?

Agreed, but surely you could contract with say your bank if
they were willing on the basis of "my digital sig is your
authorisation"?  Yes I realise there are complexities with
repudiation etc., but surely it would be possible to agree
a contract with your bank for them to accept your pgp-signed
instructions as though they were written, signed instructions?
Can anyone see any legal problems here?
Is there is a market advantage here for any bank thats
willing to take it?

Regards,

Ian