認証とコード署名に対する特許訴訟

テキサスの会社が、1990年代に承認された特許を根拠に訴訟を起こした。プログラムのAuthorizationだから認証/認可か、と、ハッシュを使ってアプリケーションの非改竄を証明する技術、の2種類。
Apparatusってのは、装置か。

訴えたのは、Information Protection and Authentication of Texas (IPAT) という会社。

対象にされているのはMicrosoft, Symantec and CAのほか、 AVG, Check Point Software, Comodo, ESET, F-Secure, Iolo technologies, Kaspersky Lab, McAfee, MicroWorld Technologies, NetVeda, Norman Data Defense Systems, Novell, PC Tools, PWI, Sophos, Sunbelt Software, Trend Micro, Velocity Micro and Webroot Software.

これはそのまま通っちゃったら、影響大きいだろうなあ。

Major software companies sued for patent infringement - Network World

Patent 5,311,591 is called "Computer System Security Method and Apparatus for Creating and Using Program Authorization Information Data Structures" and was granted in May 1994. The inventor is credited as Addison M. Fischer of Naples, Fla. The innovation is intended to allow a computer user to control how an application behaves in order to thwart other malicious software.

The second one, No. 5,412,717, is also credited to Fischer and was granted in May 1995. The invention deals with using hashes -- unique numerical identifiers -- to ensure an application has not been tampered with.