Patent Landscape in the field of Hash-Based Post-Quantum Signatures
摘要
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is one of the most fascinating topics of recent developments in cryptography. Following the ongoing standardization process of PQC by NIST, industry and academia both have been engaged in PQC research with great interest. One of the candidate algorithms finalized by NIST for the standardization of post-quantum digital signatures belongs to the family of Hash-based Signatures (HBS). In this paper, we thoroughly explore and analyze the state-of-the-art patents filed in the domain of post-quantum cryptography, with special attention to HBS. We present country-wise statistics of the patents filed on the topics of PQC. Further, we categorize and discuss the patents on HBS based on the special features of their construction and different objectives. This paper will provide scrutinized information and a ready reference in the area of patents on hash-based post-quantum signatures.