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From: smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin)
Newsgroups: net.crypt,net.legal
Subject: Re: RSA cryptographic algorithm patented?
Message-ID: <1071@ulysses.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Aug-85 16:45:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: ulysses.1071
Posted: Thu Aug 29 16:45:24 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Aug-85 07:08:06 EDT
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Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
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Xref: watmath net.crypt:445 net.legal:2213

> > I'm no lawyer, but from my reading of general articles on patent law,
> > an algorithm is one of the things that specifically CAN'T be patented.
> 
> ....
>
> Although an algorithm can't be patented ( I think ), using a specific
> algorithm to accomplish a specific task can.  This is probably what
> will make the RSA system patentable.

That is indeed what they did.  The RSA patent is for a communications system
that uses the equations to accomplish assorted stuff, like public keys,
signatures, etc.  If you can think up new uses for their equations that are
neither covered by the patent nor an "obvious" extension, you're home free.