diff --git a/Config.in b/Config.in
index 2ff2862a2a..ffe1147f44 100644
--- a/Config.in
+++ b/Config.in
@@ -170,9 +170,16 @@ choice
 		depends !USE_EGLIBC
 		help
 		  This will install binaries stripped using sstrip
-
 endchoice
 
+config BUILD_PATENTED
+	default y
+	bool "Compile with support for patented functionality"
+	help
+	  When this option is disabled, software which provides patented functionality will not be built.
+	  In case software provides optional support for patented functionality,
+	  this optional support will get disabled for this package.
+
 config STRIP_ARGS
 	string
 	prompt "Strip arguments"