Re: lynx-dev Lynx and SSL-encrypting

[brian j. pardy]

On Sat, Dec 12, 1998, David Woolley wrote:
> > 
> > Is there support for SSL-encrypting in the newest release of Lynx, or
> > are there plans to include such support in a near future? -- My bank
> > connection now requires a web-browser with support for SSL...
> 
> Even token support (stubbed out code), it is believed, would make Lynx
> non-exportable from the USA.
> 
> Working support would make Lynx in breach of copyright and/or patents,
> at least within the USA.
> 
> The lynx.browser.org web site should point you to solutions that are
> available if you are able to compile your own version, and are not
> using it for commercial purposes.  For commercial use in the USA, you
> will need to purchase a licence form RSA Data Security Inc.; it would
> probably be cheaper to use Netscape or IE.
> 
> This is a legislation problem (software patents and encryption viewed as
> an armament) not a technical one.

Has anyone given any thought to if it might become legal once the RSA
patent expires in the USA (Sep 2000)?  It seems to me (IANAL) that RSA
would enter the public domain then, and thus be freely redistributable.

I haven't really heard any comments on this regarding any programs that
have this problem, so maybe I'm missing something.

-- 
If it's Tuesday, this must be someone else's fortune.