LZW & GraphicsMagick

As some of you may be aware, the patent for LZW compression has
expired in the USA so it may be freely used within the USA.  The
patent continues to be in effect for another year in Canada, Japan,
and several European countries.

We would like for those who have the legal right to use LZW to have
ready and open access to it.  At the same time, we need to make sure
that the GraphicsMagick Group observes all laws and does not expose
itself to the risk of lawsuit due to accidental, or intentional, use
of LZW-enabled software in countries where the patent still applies.

Clearly putting LZW-enabled binaries out for anonymous ftp in the same
directory structure as non-LZW binaries is a problem because these
binaries could be accidentally imported into a country where the LZW
patent is in effect. It seems that providing another way to obtain
LZW-enabled binaries is best.  Perhaps a web-based access mechanism
which requires confirmation from the user before a download commences
would be sufficient.

If anyone can provide specific legal information or assistance
regarding the risks and liabilities of making software available on
the Internet which has patent (or other legal) issues in some
countries, it would help considerably to ensure that rightful users
have access to the algorithm.

If there is a free web CGI program available which assists with
affirmed downloads, I would like to hear about it.

Thanks,

Bob
======================================
Bob Friesenhahn
[email protected]
http://www.simplesystems.org/users/bfriesen



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