GnuPG and PGP2.

[Jonathan & Shandra Wiebe]

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Verily, on 4 Mar 2001,
 A scroll of the prophet Krisse Selén arrived, 
 Saying:

> 
> Hello,
> 
> At present, simultaneously encrypting and signing a message with so
> called "RSA Legacy" keys requires using a pretty complicated
> workaround method.
> 
> Is there some fundamental problem in implementing this feature
> properly or is it just an unadressed issue so far ? Can I expect
> future releases of GnuPG to improve this functionality ?

The fundamental problem is that PGP 2.x uses the IDEA symetrical
encryption algorithm.  IDEA is under patent until 2007.

The GPL (Gnu Public Licence) prohibits the inclusion of patented
algorithms or software.  Hence IDEA cannot be included in GnuPG until
the patent expires in 2007.

The same situation existed for RSA keys until August 2000.  Prior to
that the RSA algorithm was patented and was not included in GnuPG.
After the patent expired the next release of GnuPG included support
for RSA keys.  I expect the same thing to happen with IDEA support
when the IDEA patent expires in 2007.

Regards,

Jonathan B. Wiebe

~~ 
It's hard to read through a book on the principles of magic without
glancing at the cover periodically to make sure it isn't a book on
software design.

Bruce Tognazzini
~~ 
Jonathan B. Wiebe       <jbwiebe@cnx.net>       <><
Kelowna, BC             Cogitor, judicor: ergo sum.

PGP Keys available on keyservers
DH/DSS ID: 0x1B899535    RSA ID: 0x400956F5
~~ 
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