Patent ID: 6615347
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for creating a first digital certificate for a first subscriber, wherein the first digital certificate binds the first subscriber to a first public key corresponding to a first private key held by the first subscriber, and the first public key and the first private key form a key pair for use in public-key cryptography, the method comprising:determining, based on a predefined criteria, that the first subscriber is the same as a second subscriber of a second digital certificate, wherein the second digital certificate binds the second subscriber to a second public key corresponding to a second private key held by the second subscriber, and the second public key and the second private key form a key pair for use in public-key cryptography; including in the first digital certificate related certificate information at least partially identifying the second digital certificate, wherein inclusion of the related certificate information in the first digital certificate indicates that it has been determined that the first subscriber is the same as the second subscriber according to the predefined criteria; and digitally signing the first digital certificate.