Why does Red Hat OpenSSL version lacking EC Curves necessary for Erlang ?

Issue

• Recent updates to the OpenSSL libraries shipped with RHEL 6.4 - 6.5 had removed some of the EC curves that broke some functionality with other applications. The primary problem is with Erlang. Erlang version R16B01 and higher fail to compile on RHEL 6 due to missing GF2m curves. Previously, Erlang had no problems compiling on RHEL 6, but the removal of the EC's caused issues. This issue is documented at length in this thread. All of the RHEL erratas are installed, but the issue is still preventing successful compilation with EC support.

• The only way to successfully compile Erlang on RHEL 6 is to disable EC support in the configure script. The only solution is for Red Hat to add support into the OpenSSL library for those EC curves. Other Linux distributions fully support this EC curve, and ship it with their versions of OpenSSL.

• Not sure if there are patent issues, or if these requests need to be approved on an individual basis, but this needs to be added (especially for RHEL 7 and above).
  Bugzilla thread