Just a thought, it is possible that some of the challenge results will throw up solutions that are commerically significant, the 32-bit shift might be an example of this.

Of course everybody likes efficient code and I would always like to see Compilers etc being improved.

So, what is the copyright status of challenge entries?

Should it be explicitly stated that entries are the original work of the entrant and when posted are placed in the public domain - thus allowing anybody to make any use of the material that they see fit.

This way, some of our collective efforts may end up widely used.