From: lfoard@Turing.ORG (Lawrence C. Foard)
Subject: RSA sucks (Re: PGP warning (ooo; I am scared))
Organization: The Turing Project, Public Access Internet Host
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 17:27:55 GMT

In article <1992Dec22.041219.7935@sol.ctr.columbia.edu> locklin@titan.ucc.umass.edu (Space for Rent ) writes:
>
>I recieved this from a freind who gave me a copy of pgp; just goes to show
>ya that big bro doesn't want us to have nice toys like this...
>
>@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@CUT@@@@@@@FOLD@@@@@@@@@@MANIPULATE@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
>
>This is what was posted as info on pgp.
>
>
>Risks of using pgp

Similar to risks of not paying up when big Dan comes collecting protection
money. 

>One should be careful about assuming that the documentation in
>electronically distributed software is accurate, especially where
>law is concerned.
>
>There is much that the documentation for pgp does not tell you about
>patent and export law that you should be aware of.  

You mean like mathmatics not being patentable?

>Some of the
>statements and interpretations of patent and export law are simply
>false. This note will attempt to offer some clarification and accurate
>information.
>
>pgp seems to be an attempt to mislead netters into joining an
>illegal activity that violates patent and export law, letting them
>believe that they run no serious risk in doing so.
>
>PATENTS
>
>Patent law prohibits anyone from making, using, or selling a device
>that practices methods described in a U.S. patent.  

Strange I don't see anyone making a device that violates a patent. I see
someone posting a set of mathmatical operations that you claim is a device.
Will I be arrested if I do an RSA encryption in my head? 
What if I do it with pencil and paper?
What if I do it with a calculator pencil and paper?

>pgp admits
>practicing methods described in US patent #4,405,829, issued to the
>Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and licensed by Public Key
>Partners.

Its sad to see this kind of BS coming out of a university. Its unfortunite
that MIT places so little value on 2500 years of mathmatical tradition.
Perhaps you should pay royalties to those whose ideas RSA was built upon?

>Those who send signed or encrypted messages, post the pgp program,
>or encourage others to do so are inducing infringement. Under
>patent law, there is no distinction between inducement to infringe and
>direct infringement. You are just as liable.

Atleast they are only liable under law. You bring shame upon yourself and
all of mathmatics by claiming math as your own. Do you really believe that
your minor contribution to math is so much greater than all that have come
before? Or is it just unmitigated greed? 

Did the pythagoreans collect gold coins when ever the pythagorean theorem
was used? Where do you think math would be today if every mathmatician 
exhibited your degree of selfishness? 

-------

If your tired of this BS please call/write your senators and
representatives, and ask that they force the patent office to
stop accepting patents for algorithms and mathmatical concepts.

Anyone have the address for the organization fighting this patent BS?

BTW Clintons e-mail address is:
75300.3115@compuserve.com

Please let him know how you feel about the theft of mathmatics by the
patent office.

-- 
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