[openssl-dev] [openssl.org #3664] IDEA patent in Readme

[Jonathan Larmour via RT]

Just a minor thing, but the top level OpenSSL 1.0.1 README includes:

 "The IDEA algorithm is patented by Ascom in Austria, France, Germany, Italy,
 Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the USA.  They
 should be contacted if that algorithm is to be used; their web page is
 http://www.ascom.ch/."

However IDEA is no longer patented anywhere. You could replace the text
with the following:

-=-=-=-=-
The IDEA algorithm used to be patented by Ascom, but as of 2012,
there are no longer any valid patents remaining so it may now be
used patent-free.
-=-=-=-=-

The FAQ (online and in git including master branch) also briefly mentions
IDEA among other patent-encumbered algorithms, but it can be removed from
there too.


While in this area, might it be worth importing README.ECC from the master
branch into both the 1.0.1 and 1.0.2 branches? People might read things
like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECC_patents and be concerned. I know you
don't want to make pronouncements on what may or may not infringe patents,
but pulling this file in seems like an easy thing to do.

Jifl
-- 
------["Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere"]------       Opinions==mine