[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: [svlug] EVENT: Burn All GIFs Day.

[cbbrowne@godel.brownes.org]

On Sun, 29 Aug 1999 11:01:39 CDT, the world broke into rejoicing as
"J. Reeves Hall" <reeves at earthling.net>  said:
> Steve Baker wrote:
> > "J. Reeves Hall" wrote:
> > >
> > > Don Marti wrote:
> > >
> > > > $5000 to use GIF files on a web site?  It's stupid but it's
> > > > legal, and Unisys wants you to buy a site license for GIFs
> > > > right now.
> >
> > Yikes!
> >
> > Somehow I missed the original email that started this thread...
> > could someone post the URL where the *facts* of this issue
> > live?
> 
> Facts?!? HAH! We want mindless, pointless, leaderless REBELLION!!!
> Well, here's one link: http://corp2.unisys.com/LeadStory/lzwfaq.html
> This discussion erupted on svlug, and I felt it important enough to
> crosspost it... I'm not sure which message originated it.

Facts are indeed important; thanks for providing the URL.

<http://www.patents.ibm.com/patlist?icnt=US&patent_number=4558302>
is also relevant; note that the patent was issued December 10, 1985,
which means that based on the 17 year rule, it expires at the end of
2002.

Apparently Unisys has decided to Make Lots Of Money from this during the
couple of years that remain before expiry.

Decidedly a good argument in favor of using JPEG or PNG on the web...
--
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Please update your programs.
cbbrowne at ntlug.org- <http://www.hex.net/~cbbrowne/lsf.html>