Technology Forum

A Dutch court has denied a request from chipmaker NXP to prevent the publication of a scientific study of the security of the firm's Mifare Classic RFID technology. Researchers will continue to pursue presenting their findings in October.NXP had demanded a restraining order against researchers with the University of Nijmegen. The gagging order would have prevented them from discussing the results of their scientific research into the cryptography of the Mifare Classic, an RFID chip developed by NXP.The court ruled that freedom of speech outweighs NXP's commercial interests. Although this freedom is typically granted to individual citizens, the judge argued that it also applies to scientific research.The judge ruled that limitations to the freedom of speech are allowed only if there is urgent and obvious threat to society. "This requires a balancing of interests," the court stated in a press release. "It should be considered that the publication of scientific studies carries a lot of weight in a democratic society, as does informing society about serious issues in the chip, because it allows for mitigating of the risks." http://www.techworld.com/security/ne...&NewsID=102190