On Feb 16, 8:38am, Mats Andersson wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I have done an alternative SSH-client in java (MindTerm). I got a reminder
> via email that it may be unlawful to use this code in the US. Also, that
> the GPL states that if there are any patents involved in a product the
> copyright-holder (me I guess) MAY put restrictions on distribution-area.
> Does anybody know how one best handles this (i.e. GPL with "RSA inside")?
> I thought RSA lets people use the algorithm without license for
> non-commercial use, is this true?. Also, the rsa-ref stuff which I gather
> can be used without a license, is it available in java? Also, what is the
> duty for me as the "distributor" of an "RSA-using" bunch of code (given
> GPL)? Should I just give in and stop distributing my stuff to be sure
> nobody gets angry or what?
>
> Cheers,
>
> /Mats
The RSA patent in the U.S. allows pretty liberal free use of the RSAREF
implementation but requires royalty payments to RSA, inc, if we use
other implementations. The RSAREF implementation is only in C. This will
continue to be a very big pain until the patent expires next year.
There's no reason for you to stop distributing your code because the RSA
patent only covers the U.S. and Canada. However, it is illegal for us to
use it here.
- Dave Dykstra
