Master key trust grants and revocations for minor keys

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided that allows code signed by a master key to grant trust to an arbitrary second key, and also allows code, referred to as an antidote and also signed by the master key to revoke permanently the trust given to the second key.

1 . A method for granting trust to and revoking said granted trust from partner code of a system using a master key, comprising the steps of:
 signing said partner code with a minor key;   issuing minor key empowerment code signed by said master key for said granting trust to said partner code; and   if revoking said granted trust becomes necessary, distributing minor key antidote code associated with said partner code signed by said master key for said revoking said granted trust from said partner code.   
     
     
         2 - 24 . (canceled)