ernest@pegasus.dsg.tandem.com (Ernest Hua) (05/25/91)
Apparently, there is a statement in the GIF87a and GIF89a documents that require software using GIF to do BLAH. Could someone please tell me what "using GIF" means? It would be good to spell out when software does not have to do BLAH, and when software does has to do BLAH along with examples. -- Ernest Hua, Associate Design Engineer ernest@tandem.com Tandem Computers, 19333 Vallco Parkway, Cupertino, CA 95014 408-285-5580
adrianho@barkley.berkeley.edu (Adrian J Ho) (05/25/91)
In article <1991May24.195243.4345@tandem.com> ernest@pegasus.dsg.tandem.com (Ernest Hua) writes: >Apparently, there is a statement in the GIF87a and GIF89a documents that >require software using GIF to do BLAH. Could someone please tell me >what "using GIF" means? I presume you're referring to the following passage (under "Licensing"): -------------- CompuServe Incorporated hereby grants a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license for the use of the Graphics Interchange Format(sm) in computer software; computer software utilizing GIF(sm) must acknowledge ownership of the Graphics Interchange Format and its Service Mark by CompuServe Incorporated, in User and Technical Documentation. Computer software utilizing GIF, which is distributed or may be distributed without User or Technical Documentation must display to the screen or printer a message acknowledging ownership of the Graphics Interchange Format and the Service Mark by CompuServe Incorporated; in this case, the acknowledgement may be displayed in an opening screen or leading banner, or a closing screen or trailing banner. A message such as the following may be used: "The Graphics Interchange Format(c) is the Copyright property of CompuServe Incorporated. GIF(sm) is a Service Mark property of CompuServe Incorporated." -------------- As for your question, I'd say it's pretty clear that if your software processes GIF files in any way, it's "using GIF". -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adrian Ho, EECS (pronounced "eeks!") Dept. Phone: (415) 642-5563 UC Berkeley adrianho@barkley.berkeley.edu