We want to be sure to pick an algorithm that is
legally unencumbered in BOTH directions. -- NB
For the purpose of building products it seems that whether something
is `legally encumbered' is not an issue, the licensing terms are
the issue.
Only if you assume that "product" means "commercial product". For
software that is meant to be distributed for free -- and FSF is not
the only group producing such, not by a long shot -- it matters a
whole lot. Ever gotten useful software by anonymous FTP? Not if
it required licensing, you haven't.