Is ECC only used where public key crytography would be used? As a replacement for DH, for example? Or can it be used where symmetric cryptography would be used?
Also, are there any IP issues related to using it? I thought I read that many aspects of ECC has been patented by various people and companies around the world; Certicom holds like 130 patents around ECC. I also read that the NSA actually licensed Certicom's intellectual property in a "restricted field of use". Does OpenSSL support ECC? And given the IP issues surrounding it, it is it ok for people to use it? Sorry, I know this is not directly related to OpenSSL. But I appreciate you taking the time to help me get my head around this. Thanks, Ed
