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From: sewilco@mecc.UUCP (Scot E. Wilcoxon)
Newsgroups: sci.crypt
Subject: Re: encryption with public keys
Message-ID: <758@mecc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 26-Dec-86 18:45:21 EST
Article-I.D.: mecc.758
Posted: Fri Dec 26 18:45:21 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Dec-86 10:38:43 EST
References: <3072@ihuxf.UUCP> <9001@duke.duke.UUCP> <7447@utzoo.UUCP> <230@gaia.UUCP> <2050@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Reply-To: sewilco@mecc.UUCP (Scot E. Wilcoxon)
Organization: Minn Ed Comp Corp, St. Paul
Lines: 23
Summary: Public-domain RSA program probably is not possible.

In article <2050@jade.BERKELEY.EDU> newton2@topaz.berkeley.edu.UUCP () writes:
>...
>Anyway, the original posting to sci.crypt concerned someone writing and
>publishing a public domain RSA package- you sure don't need a lawyer to
>do *that*. Patents reserve the right to make, use and sell artifacts
>which are narrowly and explicitly defined in the claims of the patent.
>...

Software can be seen as a manufactured device, but copies are cheap and easy
to make.  A peculiar combination which some lawyer probably finds interesting.

An individual can make a patented device for personal use.  I think patent
law otherwise prohibits making a patented device, so even manufacturing
without a profit or without even knowing of the patent is illegal.

Making a public-domain RSA program is probably illegal.  Anyone can make
one for personal use , but probably your company can't use it.  Publishing
one seems the same as manufacturing it without a profit.
-- 
Scot E. Wilcoxon   Minn Ed Comp Corp  {quest,dayton,meccts}!mecc!sewilco
(612)481-3507           sewilco@MECC.COM       ihnp4!meccts!mecc!sewilco
   
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