Comments anyone? Seems like a dodge on my questions about Unix compress and GIF, but it is interesting in that now we don't have to speculate on whether the Japanese, European or German patents go longer.
Drew Daniels ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 14:25:25 -0500 From: "Tartler, Cheryl D." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: 'Drew Scott Daniels' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: lzw patent search The last basic LZW patent to expire is the Canadian one. -----Original Message----- From: Drew Scott Daniels [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 11:23 AM To: Tartler, Cheryl D. Cc: *lzw_info; debian-devel@lists.debian.org Subject: Re: lzw patent search Hi, If I distribute an application over the Internet, it is my understanding that I have to wait for the LZW patent to expire in all countries or potentially be doing something illegal. If that is the case, then knowing when the Canadian patent expires only helps if I'm selling a product in Canada and restricting its export. I would like to know when the last basic LZW patent expires and what agreements for the international distribution of the LZW algorithm might be available. What Unisys patents/pending patents might cover the version of LZW that is used in the GIF file format, and/or Unix Compress? Thanks Drew Daniels On Mon, 10 Mar 2003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In Canada, the basic LZW patent expires July 7, 2004. Be advised that Unisys > has many patents issued and pending on variants from basic LZW. > > From: Drew Scott Daniels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 03/07/2003 03:14 PM > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]@[EMAIL PROTECTED] > cc: debian-legal@lists.debian.org@[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: lzw patent search > > Hi, > When do all the lzw related patents expire? I've heard different stories > and am confused by all the different patents that seem to exist for lzw. > I also am unsure as to how to search for information about each of the lzw > patents. > > http://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:gHNrsOfbP7UC:www.unisys.com/about__unisy s/lzw/+lzw&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 > says: > 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. > > and: > Welch Patent Licensing Department; Unisys Corporation; Mail Stop E8-114; > Unisys Way, Blue Bell, PA 19424. Via the Internet, send E-mail to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Via facsimile, send inquiries to Welch > Patent Licensing Department at 215-986-3090 > > Thanks > > Drew Daniels > > > > > > >