我是否需要支付Unisys的费用才能使用LZW算法? [英] Do I have to pay Unisys to use the LZW algorithm?

问题描述

我要写一个GIF解码器，我一直在阅读有关该格式的文章，只是发现GIF文件采用的Lempel-Ziv-Welch(LZW)压缩算法已申请专利.沃尔什(Walsh)于1983年为Sperry Corp.创立，现在由Unisys掌管.然后，我读到专利在2004年之前已在世界范围内到期，因此我可以安全地使用它而不必支付任何费用吗?

Hi, I''m about to write a GIF decoder and I''ve been reading a number of articles on the format only to find that the Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) compression algorithm employed by GIF files was patented in 1983 by Walsh for Sperry Corp. and is now in the hands of Unisys. I then read that the patents had expired across the world by 2004, so am I safe to use it without have to pay anyone?

推荐答案

当专利在2004年到期时您可以自由使用LZW压缩方案本身或GIF格式，而无需支付许可费用.

When the patents expired in 2004 you are free to use the LZW compression scheme on it''s own or in the GIF format, without licensing payments.

为什么不问专利持有人；他们是唯一能够诚实回答问题的人.

Why not ask the patent holder; they are the only people who can honestly answer the question.

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