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From: schneier@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (bruce.schneier)
Newsgroups: comp.compression,sci.crypt
Subject: Re: Security of PKZIP's encryption/RSA source
Summary: Copyright and patent information regarding RSA algorithm
Message-ID: <1991Apr3.194814.3535@cbfsb.att.com>
Date: 3 Apr 91 19:48:14 GMT
References: <1991Mar26.150049.20882@athena.cs.uga.edu> <1991Apr3.175611.29439@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>
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In article <1991Apr3.175611.29439@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>, riordanmr@clvax1.cl.msu.edu (Mark Riordan) writes:

> In article <1991Apr3.070045.22296@nntp-server.caltech.edu>, madler@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Mark Adler) says:

> >Is there any source out there for RSA encryption?
> 
> I have written a simple implementation of RSA,
> but I've been advised not to distribute
> it due to the possibility of "inciting infringement" of RSA's
> patent.  Obviously, any other source of RSA source code
> would have the same problem.
> 
Check your patent law; algorithms cannot be patented.  Particular 
implementations can be patented and source code can be copyrighted,
but that's about it.  If you have your own source code implementation of
the RSA algorithm, you will not be infringing on RSA in the least.

Is there anyone from RSA reading this who cares to comment?

     -Bruce Schneier
      AT&T Bell Labs
      schneier\@ihlpl.att.com