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Subject: RE: FLASH: FLASH (OT) giff's and the Law
From: krow
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 02:53:24 +0100

From: "Lee Hunter" <lee [dot] hunterathum [dot] com>
To: <flasheratchinwag [dot] com>
Subject: RE: FLASH: FLASH (OT) giff's and the Law
Date sent: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 21:08:11 -0400
Send reply to: flasheratchinwag [dot] com

Unisys DOES have the patent on GIF format but the rest of the story is
nonsense. They are NOT billing you for having GIF files on your site.

This is an urban legend.

> Unisys is now charging ANYBODY a royalty if they are using ANY
> gif's on
> >their web site. See, Unysis now has the patent for that format and
> are
> >planning to enforce the patent. So if your web site has ANY gif's,
> and they
> >know about it, you will get a bill for $5,000.00 for the rights to use
> >it!!!!

Agreed, and I think I am clear on this now. However, there are
those on other groups, that have switched to jpeg's or png-just to
make sure. There are also those who have consulted with Unisys
to make sure.
Yes, as long as your software used to create .gifs is licenced
(such as my Paint shop pro, or Flash 4) you are home free and
legal.
How about using free software, not licenced??
One such web designer, who on accasion does use free software,
also uses Ulead SmartSaver Pro 9which is licenced) to convert it,
and or uses a different format than .gif.
These investigations and announcements suggest it is perhaps
more that urban legend, and does and has caused concern.
But it is fully understood that using Paint Shop Pro, Flash et al,
that is licecened, gives one the right to create gifs. When
attorney's eyeballs turn to dollar signs, one has to know his ducks
are in a row. AL
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Replies
  FLASH: FLASH (OT) giff's and the Law, krow
  RE: FLASH: FLASH (OT) giff's and the La, Lee Hunter

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