> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 11:05:05 -0500 (EST) > From: Steve <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: gif license > > On Wed, 7 Feb 2001, Peter Ondraska wrote: > > > Hi guys. > > I'm closely following the discussion about the lincesing of Gif producing > > applications. > > > > And I wonder if I also officialy have to get some lincence. I have written > > a gif viewer and I offer it as freeware. > > > > Can you help me? > > According to Unisys, freeware applications do need a license... > however, according to their page at > http://www.unisys.com/unisys/lzw/default.asp, > "...reading and/or writing gif images requires a license to use > Unisys patented Lempel Ziv Welch (LZW) data compression and > decompression technology, including United States Patent No. > 4,558,302, Japanese Patent Numbers 2,123,602 and 2,610,084, and > patents in Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom." > > It would appear, on the face of it, that the patent is only > enforceable in those listed countries, however, you never know > what kind of applicable treaties might be in force. > > I would suggest you write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and see what > they say. If you mention what country you're from, and the fact > that it's freeware, they might just send you a certificate that > you don't need a license. > > - Steve > Thanks Steve. If anyone is interested in this problem, read further. --I wrote them and got this: With respect to freeware, you would be responsible for a minimum license fee of 15 or 25 cents for every copy you distribute or authorize use of. A non-refundable advance royalty payment is payable at the time the license agreement is entered. This advance is a credit against future license fees. --Then I replied: As the program is free for download, I don't have any way to count how many people got it or are using it. And I earn no money on it, so it is non-sense for me to pay any fees. If there isn't any cost free way, how should I alter the program? Remove the LZW or warn the users in the documentation, that the LZW is not licensed? What do you suggest? --And the final words from them: We suggest you remove the LZW capability. [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- That's it :( Peter Ondraska
