NODE e0f246e0Re: possible solution to the anonymous h
dclunie@pax.tpa.com.au (David Clunie)Fri, 15 Jan 93 00:38:16 PST
> RSA has a patent on their algorithm. It's quite likely that I can't
> even create a key pair without their permission, let alone use it.
I am not familiar with the legal status of patents and software packages,
but it seems to me that they can sell you a program and license you to
use it, but forcing you to use one of their key servers instead of your
own seems pretty far fetched.
I would be very surprised if the law is clear cut on this issue, or has
ever been tested. I gather software licenses are pretty hazy territory at
the best of times without getting involved in patent law as well !@#$
david
NODE 958b4e47Re: possible solution to the anonymous...
uri@watson.ibm.comFri, 15 Jan 93 09:58:13 PST
David Clunie says:
> > RSA has a patent on their algorithm. It's quite likely that I can't
> > even create a key pair without their permission, let alone use it.
>
> I am not familiar with the legal status of patents and software packages,
> but it seems to me that they can sell you a program and license you to
> use it, but forcing you to use one of their key servers instead of your
> own seems pretty far fetched.
Anyway, RSADSI released RSAREF toolkit free for non-commercial use.
RIPEM (with RSAREF bundled in :-) allows you to create as many key
pairs as your soul wishes. And surprise, you are allowed to use
them...
So let's face real problems, rather than RSA patent (which hopefully
will expire by itself :-).
--
Regards,
Uri uri@watson.ibm.com scifi!angmar!uri N2RIU
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<Disclamer>
From cypherpunks-request Fri Jan 15 15:51:35 1993