Re: Latest UNISYS LZW patent nonsense -- $5,000 for every web site

[Steve Dunham <dunham@cse.msu.edu>]

"Larry 'Daffy' Daffner" <vizzie@airmail.net> writes:

>   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.

> 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?

Well, we just have every free software user send them a (seperate)
letter requesting a permission for each piece of free software on
their system, burying Unisys in paperwork.  :)


Steve
dunham@cse.msu.edu