On Thu, 10 Oct 1996, Raph Levien wrote:
I think you're referring to the possibility that PGP 3.0 may use a public key algorithm other than RSA. However, if this is the case, it won't be compatible with PGP's installed base. In addition, I don't believe that there has been a public key encryption algorithm proposed which is free of patent controversy.
In about a year, ElGamal will be free from any patent burden. I have talked with leading users of RSA who believe that the savings by switching from RSA to ElGamal may be a powerful incentive for doing so. However, the general feeling is that somebody, not said corporations, would have to first set up an infrastructure that uses ElGamal. A chicken and egg problem? Or another Cypherpunks project? --Lucky, who'd really would like to see ElGamal in wider use.