baldwin@rsa.com writes:
In a shameless attempt to move the discussion of RC2 into a more technical arena, here are some interesting questions to explore about RC2. --Bob
Key expansion - How can you tell whether the permutation is based on some sequence of digits from PI?
[long list of other good and interesting questions deleted] In a previous message, baldwin@rsa.com also wrote:
WARNING NOTICE ... in such source code under applicable law, including without limitation trade secret and copyright protection. In particular, RSA Data Security's RC2 (TM) symmetric block cipher source code has been illegally misappropriated and published. Please be advised that these acts, as well as any retransmission or use of this source code, is a violation of trade secret, copyright and various other state and federal laws. Any person or entity that acquires, discloses or uses this information without authorization or license to do so from RSA Data Security, Inc. is in violation of such laws and subject to applicable criminal and civil penalties, which may include monetary and punitive damages, payment of RSA's attorneys fees and other equitable relief.
Bob, I'm confused by these two messages, as a non-lawyer (but I realize you're also a non-lawyer). How can RSADSI, on the one hand, expect to be able to assert trade secret status over RC2 (with a warning to "...any person who acquires, discloses or uses this information...") while at the same time encouraging the world to examine and better understand the (illegally- published) RC2 code? To my lay mind, I cannot see how one can reconcile your two messages. I'm not trying to be cute or play lawyer. I'm honestly confused as to just what RSADSI's position here is. -matt