The United States Supreme Court has issued a ruling in a patent litigation case that will make it more difficult for patents on cryptosystems and cryptographic algorithms. The KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc. ruling raises the bar on applicant proof that an invention is “non-obvious”.
John Young’s Cryptome website has been shut down by its service provider. Over the years Cryptome has provided valuable insights into the history and development of cryptographic science as well as attempts to limit and control the use of cryptographic technology. Cryptome, and Young personally, were often under pressure from the United States and Foreign Governments to remove content and cease operation.
Update: Cryptome appears to be back up.
The US Department of Justice has filed indictments against E‑Gold Ltd. and Gold & Silver Reserve, Inc. charging them with Money Laundering and Illegal Money Transmitting. Pseudonymous and anonymous digital currency are a core component in many cryptographic protocols.
An article in Nature reports that Dr. Jeffrey Shapiro and his team at the Research Laboratory of Electronics at MIT have demonstrated simulated eavesdropping on a quantum communication link.
Cryptowatch is a blog that highlights the announcement of technological and mathematical advancements that may impact decisions about the use of cryptographic systems. Cryptowatch is a great way to stay informed about bleeding edge advancements in fields that effect key length and expiration date choices. It will help you keep abreast of the state of emerging disruptive technologies like quantum computation.
I hope you enjoy cryptowatch.