> -----Original Message-----
> From: Firebird-Architect@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Firebird-Architect@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Claudio Valderrama C.
> Sent: 16. maj 2005 11:25
> To: Firebird-Architect@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [Firebird-Architect] Re: Record Encoding
>
> Marius Popa wrote:
> > On 5/13/05, Jim Starkey wrote:
> >>>
> >> LZW, friends, and relations is patented technology, i.e. forbidden
> >> fruit unless you can find a donor to buy a Unisys license.
> And since
> >> IBM also has a parent that comflicts with th Unisys, you probably
> >> need a license from them, too.
> >
> > well patent expired
> > http://www.google.com/search?q=lzw+patent+expired
> >
> > LZW is used in gif compression (that is why i know it can
> be used now)
>
> Did you read one of the links?
>
> Unisys Corporation holds and has patents pending on a number
> of improvements on the inventions claimed in the
> above-expired patents. Information on these improvement
> patents and terms under which they may be licensed can be
> obtained by contacting the following...
>

Isn't that just patents on the improvements and not on LZW itself? I read it
as you can create GIF's and otherwise use the basic LZW compression freely
now.

/smn