Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The GIF Format is Finally Patent-Free

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the happy-birthday dept.

tonymercmobily writes "Not many people noticed that the GIF file format is only now free from patents, as of the 1st of October 2006. Quick recap: first in 1999 Unisys tried to extort money from users and developers. Then, in 2003 the world hoped that the saga would finally be over. Then, in 2004, it was IBM's turn. Now, the SAGA seems to be over for real! Does anybody find Unisys' page on GIF as hilarious as I do...?"

16 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. Just in time... by xENoLocO · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... for it to be obsolete.

    --
    "The need to build the internet comes from something inside us, something programmed... something we can't resist."
    1. Re:Just in time... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not supporting animation is PNG's greatest benefit!

    2. Re:Just in time... by jthill · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have two answers.

      --
      As always, all IMO. Insert "I think" everywhere grammatically possible.
    3. Re:Just in time... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Bow down before MNG the merciless!

    4. Re:Just in time... by truthsearch · · Score: 1, Funny

      Thanks. You just lowered my IQ. I wish I didn't click on those links.

      --
      Developers: We can use your help.
    5. Re:Just in time... by prmths · · Score: 4, Funny

      Now that it's october 1 and unisys cant kill me anymore... i propose we expand on gif to be capable of a whopping 512 colors! that's right... 9 bit color! who's with me?

      --
      p r m t h s
    6. Re:Just in time... by nine-times · · Score: 2, Funny

      I don't know.... 512 seems like too many for me. Can we do 8 1/2 bit color?

    7. Re:Just in time... by JourneyExpertApe · · Score: 5, Funny

      But how are people going to know that their computers are infected with 10,342 viruses and spyware if they don't see the vibrating, flashing, and really convincing message box at the top of the webpage?

      --
      If you can read this sig, you're too close.
  2. Happy October 1st by xsarpedonx · · Score: 4, Funny

    October 1st came early this year...

    1. Re:Happy October 1st by mcmonkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not many people noticed that the GIF file format is only now* free from patents

      *For large values of 'now'

    2. Re:Happy October 1st by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You just got a taste of what the mysterious future is like, I bet you are itching to subscribe now!

  3. no. by Heem · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does anybody find Unisys' page on GIF as hilarious as I do...? .....No

    --
    Don't Tread on Me
  4. Thank god and the patent office by Ancient_Hacker · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finally, I can now sleep soundly, knowing the flaming torches on by web site are -fully legal- flaming torches.

  5. What?? by Headcase88 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Slashdot posted something two days early?? *head explodes*

    --
    "When the atomic bomb goes off there's devastation...but when the atomic bong goes off there's celebraaaaation!"
    1. Re:What?? by NinjaFarmer · · Score: 2, Funny

      Don't worry, they will probably dupe this article on Oct. 1, twice, to make up for it.

      Once on October 2nd. And then again in November... of 2007.

  6. Check out this mung! by Asmor · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's gonna be a fun file type to say out loud...

    "Dude, check out this mung!"