RSA Party Planner

bgp4 writes "The patent on the RSA encryption algorithm is set to expire on September 20th, just a few weeks away. Cypherpunks around the world are preparing to celebrate the ability to use RSA without restriction. In order to increase awareness of the patent expiration (as well as attendance at the parties), we've put up an RSA Party Planner page. That way folks can find out where/when their local party is, or if there isn't a local party, they can throw one of their own. If you know of any parties that we haven't listed, please let us know."

Comments

Re:RSA Patent number

[studerby]

Interestingly, the patent has two dates on it. Clearly marked is the date of filing, December 14, 1977. However, I am not a patent/trademark lawyer, so I don't know what the second date of September 20, 1983 signifies. Possibly a reissue date?

The first date, as you note, is the date of filing, and the second date is the date the patent was issued by the PTO. At the time, patents ran for 17 years from date of issue, which is why it's expiring this September 20th. Now, patents run for 20 years from date of filing (to encourage filers to not drag out the process).