They already won through patent 'royaltees' (Score 5, Interesting)

Through some nifty back door dealings, the patented RSA algorithm made it into standard and mission critical Internet protocols like SSL. (RSA let Netscape use the RSA algorithm in return for stock in Netscape. Who knows what deal they had with Microsoft to do the same. It was in the best interest of both Netscape and Microsoft to use RSA and not support any of the free alternatives such as DSA because it meant other companies couldn't get into the secure web serving business without a substantial cash investment to the RSA corp. RSA eventually became Verisign and/or Network Solutions.)

Meanwhile, Verisign made a killing off charging an arm and a leg for SSL certificates. In order to support a wide variety of browsers, you needed to support the oldest certificates, and Verisign, a division of RSA, created both the need and the solution for themselves.

I agree that RSA was a wonderful creation. The fact that it was patented, and that these sly companies were able to abuse that for millions upon millions of dollars was a horrible shame in contrast.

Anyone know what day-to-day involvment R. S. and A. had in the companies that profited from their algorithm?

And any chance that Diffie/Helman or other luminaries will be recognized for their similar contributions to the field? Contributions that were not as recognized because they made their discoveries available to all?