setting expiration dates

[David Shaw]

On Fri, Jun 01, 2007 at 06:16:09PM -0700, Joseph Oreste Bruni wrote:

> I have another question about key expirations. Suppose I have a key
> that was originally created without an expiration, and I distribute
> that key.  Later, I add an expiration date to the original key. Does
> the new expiration have any effect if someone has my key without the
> expiration? In other words, is the expiration date considered a
> discretionary control or a mandatory control?

The expiration does not apply to someone who has the key without the
expiration.  It's not really a question of mandatory or discretionary,
but just an out-of-date key.  If and when they update their copy of
your key, they will get the expiration.

David