A Kinder Unisys Makes Web Users Burn
D. Geller - September 10, 1999

Event Summary

Unisys Corp holds the patent for a data compression algorithm known as LZW. Many years ago CompuServe used LZW as the basis of its GIF image format. In 1995 it obtained a license fee arrangement from CompuServe. It has also obtained licensing arrangements with most major commercial vendors of graphics programs. Unisys is now asking Web developers to determine whether the software they are using is properly licensed; if not, Unisys is requesting a $5,000 fee from sites displaying GIF files. Web developers are organizing an event at Unisys' Bluebell, PA, headquarters at which artists and users will burn GIF images in protest...