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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...?"

5 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 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.