BouncyCastle libraries and IP patents

[Stefano Bagnara <ap...@bago.org>]

I'm lurker on directory@apache.org and I just noticed they removed 
bouncycastle in favor of jdk JCE because BouncyCastle libraries contains 
patented code).

Does anyone know anything more about this issue? Does this apply to 
James Server, too?

Stefano


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Re: BouncyCastle libraries and IP patents

[robert burrell donkin <ro...@gmail.com>]

On 3/24/07, Stefano Bagnara <ap...@bago.org> wrote:
> I'm lurker on directory@apache.org and I just noticed they removed
> bouncycastle in favor of jdk JCE because BouncyCastle libraries contains
> patented code).

that's not strictly true: this is not about a software patent. IDEA is
a patented algorithm. algorithms are patentable in the US but are
definitely not patentable in many other jurisdictions.

> Does anyone know anything more about this issue?

AIUI patents are about use not copying. distributing implementations
are ok from a legal stand point but it's unethical to expose users to
legal risks without telling them.

> Does this apply to James Server, too?

i've taken a look at the bcmail jar and can't see any of the IDEA
implementation classes. (this wouldn't stop JAMES using patented code
in a JCE of course.)

that good enough?

- robert

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