🚀 go-pugleaf

> [BYTE letter] ... I find it ironic that
> after the inventors of RSA fought so hard to prevent the Government from
> classifying their work, they now are trying to use the patent system to
> suppress its widespread use...

Please explain how you get this interpretation from the BYTE letter.  The
way I read the letter is that the patent owners are trying to use the patent
system to prevent people from using their invention without paying them a
royalty.  This is precisely the purpose of the patent system, to give folks
who invent something new and useful a weapon against ripoff artists (however
well-intentioned).  I'm sure the inventors of RSA would be *delighted* if
their work was in widespread use *with royalties being paid*.

Other postings suggest that the patent owners may have erected enough
complications in licensing to effectively interfere with widespread use
even with royalty payment.  That's unfortunate, and indeed ironic, but the
BYTE letter gives no hint of it.
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,decvax,pyramid}!utzoo!henry