billc@prism.UUCP (09/18/87)
> I believe that the patent covers the use of this equation for > a specific purpose. Patents protect applications of phenomena, > not the phenomena. The patent doesn't cover other uses of this > equation. > > -andy > > ps - The "pencil and paper" rule is bogus. Copiers are patentable. Oops! Don't miss the point. Copiers are indeed patentable, but copying is not. Likewise, R, S and A can patent an encryption/ decryption machine, but the real question is whether they can legitimately patent the specific purely algorithmic process. Bill C. billc@mirror.TMC.COM {mit-eddie, ihnp4, wjh12, cca, cbosgd, seismo}!mirror!billc