[Patents] Unisys steps up with the LZW licensing (fwd)

[Justin Mason jm@netnoteinc.com]

I haven't seen this here before; it really is the nightmare software-patent
scenario. Forwarded from Greg Roelofs, TBTF Irregular.

Basically Unisys now want cash to allow you to use GIF files on your website.
Does anyone know if Photoshop have paid up?

--j.


http://corp2.unisys.com/LeadStory/lzw-license.html

Web Site LZW Licenses Available from Unisys

Because demand for LZW-related technology by Web developers continues to grow,
Unisys wants to make obtaining a license for Web-based use of the LZW
technology as easy and as straightforward as possible. Unisys therefore
announces a new way for operators of certain types of Web sites to obtain an
LZW license.

If you are the operator of an Intranet Web site or an Internet Billboard Web
site (see detailed definitions) and use the types of images covered by the LZW
patent, you qualify.

Types of images covered 

GIF, TIFF-LZW, PDF-LZW images or other LZW graphical formats used in 
connection
with the creation, operation or maintenance of a Web site.

Why is Unisys taking this step?

Use of the World Wide Web has grown faster than almost any other technology in
history - and faster than anyone anticipated even five years ago, when online
service providers mostly handled simple electronic messaging. Organizations
around the world are making a significant investment in their Web presence.
Many use GIF images and other technology derived from the LZW (Lempel Ziv
Welch) data compression/decompression technology developed and patented by
Unisys Corporation over 10 years ago. Nearly 2,000 companies and governmental
agencies, both large and small, have already taken licenses under the Unisys
LZW patent.

Some operators of Intranet and Billboard Web sites have had difficulty
determining whether they need a license from Unisys for use of our LZW 
patented
technology. If you use any of the types of images specified above on your Web
site that you received from an unlicensed software developer or service, you
should have a license from Unisys to use the LZW patent. Or even if the
developer or service provider has a license, but it doesn?t cover your use of
the particular application you received, you should have a license from Unisys
to use the LZW patent.

How do you get an Intranet or Billboard Web site license?

A one-time payment of $5,000.00 U.S. for each license agreement (limited to 
two
servers at each licensed Web site). Or a single payment of $7,500 U.S. for a
license for both Billboard and Intranet. Copies of one or both of these 
license
agreements may be obtained by contacting Unisys Corporation, Welch Licensing
Department - M/S E8-114, Unisys Way, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania 19424, fax:
215-986-3090, e-mail: LZW_INFO@unisys.com, or telephone: 215-986-5693.


Why should you get an LZW Web site license?

You?ll be able to deal with any vendors, developers, services or Webmasters
whether they have an LZW license agreement from Unisys or not. You won?t have
to go to the trouble of verifying that each vendor is licensed by Unisys.