Many analysts say that a lack of adequate copyright control has held back digital commerce and contributed to piracy.

- With all the talk about digital commerce, someone finally has a plan to offer electronic coupons.

It is a move that thrusts the company into the middle of a contentious and technologically challenging area of digital commerce.

ONE of the pioneers in the mathematics underlying most public key systems agrees that prudence is required in developing digital commerce.

The company is trying to corner the emerging field of digital commerce on the Internet, the global web of computer networks.

Few industries have gorged themselves on digital commerce with greater appetite than the telecommunications companies.

"This way the little guy can engage in digital commerce," Mr. Huang said.

Analysts said it was unclear whether Planet Out would be successful, but it would provide some insights into the emerging area of digital commerce.

The Electronic Business Co-op was created by four companies, each with different areas of expertise in digital commerce.

His practice at the firm concentrated on issues related to privacy, national security, computer security, electronic surveillance, encryption, digital commerce, and export controls.