CDR: Re: New OLD cryptograph patent for NSA

[Steve Furlong]

Sampo A Syreeni wrote:
> 
> On Wed, 11 Oct 2000, Bo Elkjaer wrote:
> 
> >Note that the patent-application was filed in 1936. Obviously they were
> >interested in keeping any info relating to the invention confidential. But
> >theres no need for that anymore, given that the technology in the patent
> >is completely obsolete by now.
> 
> So... How do you defend such a patent? How does this sort of thing mesh with
> the idea of patents as a reward for disclosure?

The inventor worked for the NSA (or, rather NSA's predecessors) and the
inventions were classified "for national security". In other words, it's
for the chiiiildren.

-- 
Steve Furlong, Computer Condottiere     Have GNU, will travel
   518-374-4720     sfurlong at acmenet.net