Intel in the 1990's, yes--but it was Wave back in the 1980's under a variety of names that ultimately became Wave Systems, Inc.
Intel's idea was different than Peter's original "Peter-meter." Comic strip artists, like the fellow who draws 'Calvin and Hobbes'--could sell directly to the consumer, rather than having the consumer purchase an entire newspaper, when the entirety of what was wanted, was the comic strip.
That's how the cryptographic 'engine' that powered Wave came into being. It was supposed to both protect the product, say Calvin & Hobbes, and guarantee payment for the artist. Wave would, in theory get a small percentage of a billion or more transactions a day. That was the dream that morphed from slog to scam to what remains of Wave. today
My impression was Intel's focus was quite different. One of Intel's ideas was the Pentium's 'discrete number' digitally marking and signing every document coming from that computer--of course removing anonymity and making everything trackable.
Intel elected to sell it with the discrete number, default "on," without telling any of their customers until it came to light by privacy groups.
After considerable criticism, Intel reversed themselves to ship the Pentium with the discrete number turned off.
Doesn't matter, since neither idea caught on. Stark difference though. Intel sold product. Wave, not so much.
Blue
