SSL (Secure Socket Layer) data transport requires

encryption, and many governments have restrictions upon the

import, export, and use of encryption technology.

If Apache included SSL in the base package, its

distribution would involve all sorts of legal and

bureaucratic issues, and it would no longer be freely

available.

Also, some of the technology required to talk to current

clients using SSL is patented by RSA Data Security, who

restricts its use without a license.