BCI NET 2/BCI NET 2.iso/archives/programming/amos/amoslist-0195.lzh/AMOSLIST/text0139.txt

Text File | 1995-02-01 | 6.8 KB | 157 lines

Using .GIF in our programs now??  GIF != Free.

(wow!  thats a C thingy... hehehe)

 - Paul

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 09 Jan 1995 17:15:12 +1000
From: Eddy Steenbergen <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (fwd) PROTEST OF NEW COMPUSERVE-UNISYS GIF USAGE TAX !! (fwd)

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>Date: Mon, 9 Jan 1995 18:08:45 +1200
>To: [e-mail]
>From: Kurt Foss <[e-mail]> (by way of
[e-mail]
> (Mark Hodge))
>Subject: Re: (fwd) PROTEST OF NEW COMPUSERVE-UNISYS GIF USAGE TAX !! (fwd)
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>
>Unisys Clarifies Policy Regarding Patent Use in On-Line Service Offerings
>
>The concerns, inquiries and some apparent confusion that have resulted from
>the December CompuServe advisory clearly indicate that we need to clarify  our
>policy concerning the use of the Unisys Lev Zempel Welch (LZW) patent by
>software developers for the major on-line services.
>
>We want to reiterate earlier communications that the issue of patent  licenses
>is not focused on the end users of on-line networks, including the  Internet.
>We encourage end users to continue to take full advantage of the  outstanding
>benefits of a rapidly growing on-line community.
>
>Unisys was awarded the patent in 1985.  We became aware of the increasing
>interest in our LZW patent beginning in 1990 when many companies approached us
>to license the patent for their hardware and software products.  The growth in
>the use of compression technology was mushrooming in order to meet the demands
>for transmitting increased amounts of data.  To date, more than 100 companies,
>including hardware, software and on-line information  services, have licensed
>the Unisys LZW technology.
>
>Two years ago, Unisys learned that the LZW method was incorporated in the  GIF
>specification and immediately began negotiations with CompuServe in  January
>of 1993.  We reached agreement with CompuServe on licensing the  technology in
>June 1994, which calls for CompuServe to pay Unisys a royalty  of 1% of the
>average selling price it charges for its software.  This  represents
>approximately 11 cents for each copy sold and connected to its  information
>service.
>
>Under the agreement, CompuServe, at its discretion, could relicense the LZW
>technology to commercial developers using the GIF specification in software
>that connected directly to the CompuServe information service.
>
>With the agreement completed on June 21, 1994, CompuServe was given six months
>to implement the terms of its license.  CompuServe later asked for a one-month
>extension, which we granted.
>
>Unisys did not require CompuServe to pass on any fee to its sublicensees or
>end users.  Such a decision, and the content and timing of CompuServe+s
>advisory, was at their discretion.
>
>Consistent with the entire information industry+s desire to protect
>intellectual property, Unisys will expect all of the major commercial  on-line
>information services companies employing the LZW patent to license  the
>technology from Unisys at a reasonable rate.  The on-line service  companies
>are not required to sublicense the technology to developers  producing
>software for the commercial on-line services. It will be, as it is  today, at
>the on-line service+s discretion as to whether it charges a  license fee to
>developers or chooses an alternative method to account for  its licensing fees
>payable to Unisys.
>
>We recognize and are concerned --  thanks in large part to the recent and very
>active use of the on-line network -- that developers did not understand that
>the patented technology was resident in GIF.  Taking that into account, Unisys
>does not intend to pursue previous inadvertent infringement by versions of
>GIF-based software products marketed prior to 1995.
>
>Concerning all future software product development and enhancement of existing
>products for accessing on-line services, Unisys expects developers of
>commercial, for-profit software to secure a license from Unisys, or through
>the licensed on-line service, for the use of the patented  technology. The
>very reasonable terms should prove no financial barrier to  the introduction
>of product into the on-line network.
>
>Unisys does not require licensing, or fees to be paid, for non-commercial,
>non-profit GIF-based applications, including those for use on the on-line
>services.
>
>Concerning developers of software for the Internet network, the same principle
>applies.  Unisys will not pursue previous inadvertent infringement by
>developers producing versions of software products for the Internet prior to
>1995. The company does not require licensing, or fees to be paid for
>non-commercial, non-profit offerings on the Internet, including +Freeware+.
>
>
>Commercial developers of GIF-based software for the Internet are expected to
>secure a licensing agreement with Unisys for software products introduced
>beginning in 1995, or enhancements of products that were introduced prior to
>1995.  Again, terms should not preclude the entry by these firms into the
>marketplace.
>
>For organizations introducing World Wide Web servers and +Home Page+
>offerings, most will not be required to secure a license from Unisys.  Most
>organizations acquire software from other developers to create their offerings
>on their servers.  Therefore, only the software firms who sell the enabling
>software for profit would be expected to secure a licensing agreement from
>Unisys.
>
>Unisys understands that this issue has caused concern.  We want to reassure
>all users and developers that we are strong proponents of the on-line
>industry.
>
> We+re proud that this important Unisys technology has played a role in the
>introduction of innovative products and services, many of which are fueling
>the explosive growth of the information superhighway.
>
>As members of the information community we want to strike the appropriate
>balance between information access and the rights of all information
>companies, including the developers of software, to protect their intellectual
>property rights.
>
>Patent information:  Contact Welch Patent Licensing Department; Unisys; Mail
>Stop C1SW19; P.O. Box 500, Blue Bell, PA 19424.
>
>Or via Internet, send E-mail to LZW_INFOUNISYS.COM, or use a form available on
>the Home Page of the Unisys Web Server (http:\\www.unisys.com) to request
>follow-up information.
>
>
>Media contacts: Unisys Public Relations -- Bob O+Leary     [phone]
>                            or Oliver Picher [phone]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Regards, FastEddy

+-----In omnia paratus-----+
Eddy Steenbergen
PO Box 175
North Hobart
Tasmania, Australia 7002
phone (Aus): (002) 33-3300
phone (Int): [phone]
fax (Int): [phone]
+----Any opinions expressed above are mine---+