Which algorithm was U.

Explanation

DSA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Signature_Algorithm

DSA is covered by U.S. Patent 5,231,668 , filed July 26, 1991 and now expired, and attributed to David W. Kravitz, a former NSA employee. This patent was given to "The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, Washington, D.C.", and NIST has made this patent available worldwide royalty-free. Claus P. Schnorr claims that his U.S. Patent 4,995,082 (also now expired) covered DSA; this claim is disputed.