jimb@hpiacla.HP.COM (Jim Brandt) (12/17/88)
Does anyone know if the passwd UNIX source code DES algorithm is copyrighted? The passwd uses a DES algorithm, and I believe the algorithm is public domain, but if I used the algorithm from the source code of passwd in another product, do I need to worry about copyright?
ark@alice.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) (12/18/88)
In article <3600017@hpiacla.HP.COM>, jimb@hpiacla.HP.COM (Jim Brandt) writes: > The passwd uses a DES algorithm, and I believe the algorithm is public > domain, but if I used the algorithm from the source code of passwd in > another product, do I need to worry about copyright? Yes you do. -- --Andrew Koenig ark@europa.att.com
jimb@hpiacla.HP.COM (Jim Brandt) (12/20/88)
Please stop responding to this note: All reply indicate this would be a trade secret infringement problem. Hence: I will go to the NBS standard provided by the government, and use their public domain DES algorithm... Thanks...
hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath) (12/20/88)
In article <8557@alice.UUCP> ark@alice.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) writes: }In article <3600017@hpiacla.HP.COM>, jimb@hpiacla.HP.COM (Jim Brandt) writes: }> The passwd uses a DES algorithm, and I believe the algorithm is public }> domain, but if I used the algorithm from the source code of passwd in }> another product, do I need to worry about copyright? } }Yes you do. Not only that, the passwd encryption doesn't use a pure DES algorithm (it's "perturbed" with a "salt" variable). Furthermore, it's deliberately coded in an inefficient manner to discourage is use in cracking password files. Thus, you probably don't want to use it anyway if you want Real(tm) DES encryption. Your best bet is to get the specs for the DES algorithm and code your own routine. -- The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, hollombe@ttidca.tti.com) Illegitimati Nil Citicorp(+)TTI Carborundum 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. (213) 452-9191, x2483 Santa Monica, CA 90405 {csun|philabs|psivax}!ttidca!hollombe
fred@oravax.UUCP (Charles Mills) (12/22/88)
In article <8557@alice.UUCP> ark@alice.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) writes: >In article <3600017@hpiacla.HP.COM>, jimb@hpiacla.HP.COM (Jim Brandt) writes: >> ... but if I used the algorithm from the source code of passwd in >> another product, do I need to worry about copyright? > >Yes you do. Well, perhaps I'm just being picky, but it's my understanding that you can't copyright an algorithm, only the `tangible' form (I think that's the adjective they use) embodying the algorithm--- namely, the source code itself. The ideas are free. If you use the actual source code _verbatim_ then you are probably violating a copyright (depending on what you use it for, what Unix you have, what license you have, etc.). -- Fred the Pedant (...!cornell!oravax!fred) --Picky, picky, picky--