Speak Freely for Windows


Encryption patent issues

The IDEA[tm] block cipher is patented by Ascom-Tech AG. The Swiss patent number is PCT/CH91/00117, the European patent number is EP 0 482 154 B1, and the U.S. patent number is US005214703. IDEA[tm] is a trademark of Ascom-Tech AG. There is no license fee required for noncommercial use. Commercial users may obtain licensing details from Dr. Dieter Profos, Ascom-Tech AG, Solothurn Lab, Postfach 151, CH-4502 Solothurn, Switzerland, Tel +41 65 242 885, Fax +41 65 235 761.

You can use IDEA encryption for noncommercial communications without a license from Ascom-Tech; commercial use is prohibited without a license. If you don't want to obtain a license from Ascom-Tech, use DES or key file encryption instead.


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