... Despite RSA's gesture, several competitors who have paid royalties for use of the algorithm for up to 17 years, argue that the industry could have done with the patent relaxation earlier. "Of course its fantastic news, but after 17 years to suddenly release it two weeks early is a bit of a stunt," says Paddy Holahan, vice president of marketing at Baltimore Technology. "It has held back e-commerce.". . .
... Despite RSA's gesture, several competitors who have paid royalties for use of the algorithm for up to 17 years, argue that the industry could have done with the patent relaxation earlier. "Of course its fantastic news, but after 17 years to suddenly release it two weeks early is a bit of a stunt," says Paddy Holahan, vice president of marketing at Baltimore Technology. "It has held back e-commerce."

RSA disputes Holahan's claims arguing that its patent has helped e-commerce by establishing a trusted and assured standard. It says that releasing these patent rights now will give the industry a new lease of life. "Releasing the RSA algorithm into the public domain now is a symbolic next step in the evolution of this market," says Coviello. "We believe it will cement the position of RSA encryption as the standard in all categories of wired and wireless applications and devices."

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