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Date: 1999-09-03
Unisys: Enemy of the Net-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- gelassen, jetzt macht Unisys offensichtlich Ernst. Weil die alt/eingesessene Company seit Jahren im "Besitz" eines Patents für gif-Komprimierung ist, versucht man, flächendeckend zu kassieren. 5000 Dollar von ganz normalen User/innen, die mit Freeware/programmen generierte GIFs auf ihren Sites verwenden. So wird man: Enemy of the Net. -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- A few years ago Unisys, the company that owns the patent on the compression method used in creasing GIF graphics, announced plans to charge a license fee to use their GIF- related technology. Controversy developed and the company dropped the proposal. Now, they've revived it and are threatening to sue users of GIFs created with freeware or other software produced by developers who haven't paid for a license to use this technology. Since well known commercial graphics software programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Macromedia are expensive, there is a good chance that some small or cash-strapped nonprofits have been using freeware or other unlicensed software to create GIFs. These organizations need to be aware that there is some risk of being sued for license fees of $5000 or more. This would be a good time to take stock of what software your organization uses to build web site graphics. If your organization is using freeware to develop web site graphics, this might be a good time to switch to one of the less costly licensed graphics software programs, like Paint Shop Pro for PCs. But even if your organization isn't at risk, Unisys' decision to demand license fees represents a move toward limiting access to technology being used for the public good. Ultimately, this could create barriers to the public interest community's use of technology as a tool for outreach, organizing, and advocacy. According to various reports on the Unisys initiative, web sites that would be required to pay a license fee include "billboard" sites that are: ** Fully open to the general public without cost or restrictions on access. ** Does not display third-party advertising. ** Does not require membership, access codes, passwords, or a business relationship to gain access to any portion of the web site. ** Does not provide for online ordering or purchase of goods or services via the web site. Many nonprofit organizations operate web sites that meet this definition. There are some alternatives for organizations that want to switch to something other than the GIF format. The best option at this time is the .JPG (also referred to as .JPEG) But the .JPG format doesn't allow for transparent backgrounds or animation. Another alternative is .PNG (pronounced PING)<http://graphicwiz.com/png/>. While it may eventually prove to be very useful, at present this format is limited because it isn't supported by many browsers. It is somewhat usable with Netscape & IE 4.x & higher, and will be supported in future releases. MNG (pronounced MING) is a related technology that supports animations. It doesn't work with 4.x level browsers but will be supported in future releases. For more on this issue see: <http://lpf.ai.mit.edu/Patents/Gif/Gif.html> and <http://burnallgifs.org/>. For Unisys' perspective, see: <http://corp2.unisys.com/LeadStory/lzw-license.html> and <http://corp2.unisys.com/LeadStory/lzw-license-def.html>. relayed by audrie@netaction.org http://www.netaction.org -.- -.-. --.- Jetzt erst recht! 1000 Sonnen - das Musical zur Wahl heiter, sauber, ordentlich DrezninMusik MoechelBuch PoschRegie Premiere 10. September http://1000Sonnen.heimatseite.com/ -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- - -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- edited by Harkank published on: 1999-09-03 comments to office@quintessenz.at subscribe Newsletter - -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.-. --.- 
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