INFO: Unisys GIF and LZW Technology License Information

• Microsoft Visual Studio versions 6.0, 97

SUMMARY

This article provides information about licensing issues regarding the .gif file format and the Lempel Ziv Welch (LZW) data compression and decompression technology. Unisys has patented this technology and requires that anyone using this technology obtain a license. This article contains links where you can get more information about the required license.

MORE INFORMATION

The LZW data compression and decompression technology is covered by United States Patent No. 4,558,302, Japanese Patent Numbers 2,123,602 and 2,610,084, and patents in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Microsoft has obtained a license from Unisys to use the .gif file format and other LZW technologies covered by the Unisys-owned U.S. and foreign patents in a number of Microsoft products.

However, this license does not extend to third-party developers using Microsoft development products to develop applications. Third-party developers must have a license from Unisys in the form of a written agreement. For more information about the license required to use this technology, please see License Information on .gif and Other LZW-based Technologies on the following Web site:

http://corp2.unisys.com/LeadStory//lzwfaq.html

http://corp2.unisys.com/ServerInformation/contact/contact.html

REFERENCES

For more information, please see the following Microsoft Web page, GIF AND OTHER UNISYS LZW LICENSES page:

http://www.msdn.microsoft.com

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbVS97 kbVS600 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo 

Last Reviewed: July 30, 1999