Derek Zahn says:
Is there some reason that we shouldn't pick a different public key encryption algorithm than RSA to use as a freely-available standard? The PGP docs imply that "almost" all practical such schemes are patented, implying that some are not.
All are patented in so far as one of the patents covers ALL public key schemes. Some, like Rabin's scheme, have possible technical advantages over RSA.
How about that public key scheme they came up with in Australia a while back? And why should RSA's patent be so construed as to cover ALL public key schemes? Because Jim Bidzos says so? -- Ed Carp, N7EKG erc@apple.com 510/659-9560 anon-0001@khijol.uucp If you want magic, let go of your armor. Magic is so much stronger than steel! -- Richard Bach, "The Bridge Across Forever"