Re: Latest UNISYS LZW patent nonsense -- $5,000 for every web site
>>>>> "tm" == tony mancill <tmancill@mancill.com> writes:
tm> On 25 Aug 1999, Ben Gertzfield wrote:
>> Well, UNISYS is up to it again. They want $5,000 (count 'em: five
>> THOUSAND DOLLARS) from *every* web site that uses GIFs, TIFFs, or
>> PDF files with LZW compression.
>>
>> And that $5,000 only covers two servers at your site, so you'd
>> better stock up on those licenses now!
>>
>> http://corp2.unisys.com/LeadStory/lzw-license.html
tm> Check this out, from the Unisys license FAQ:
tm> Unisys has frequently been asked whether a Unisys license is
tm> required in order to use LZW software obtained by downloading
tm> from the Internet or from other sources. The answer is
tm> simple. In all cases, a written license agreement or statement
tm> signed by an authorized Unisys representative is required from
tm> Unisys for all use, sale or distribution of any software
tm> (including so-called "freeware") and/or hardware providing LZW
tm> conversion capability (for example, downloaded software used for
tm> creating/displaying GIF images). In certain cases, no license
tm> fees may be required, but this needs to be evidenced by a
tm> written agreement or written statement signed by an authorized
tm> Unisys representative.
tm> It appears that the issue is much larger than just webservers.
tm> Unisys wants to go after webservers because they are visible.
tm> Maybe we should drive them nuts trying to find out if we need
tm> end-user licenses for convert, imagemagick, gimp, xv, xfig, etc.
tm> It seems like a couple hundred thousand requests might make them
tm> rethink their policy. It's going to cost far more to enforce a
tm> "no license fees" license than they'll make off of the other
tm> licenses.
I assume it makes sense at this point, given this latest information,
to remove libgif from our distributions? Unfortunately, I don't think
Debian can afford the risk of a $5000 licence fee. Or am I just
paranoid?
-Larry
--
Larry Daffner | Linux: Unleash the workstation in your PC!
vizzie@airmail.net / http://web2.airmail.net/vizzie/
"I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to
waste any of mine running around doing exercises." --Neil Armstrong
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