The GIF format uses the LZW compression algorithm, which was patented by Unisys, and publishers of applications that read and write GIF87a and GIF89a images were required to obtain a license and pay ...

A lossless compression algorithm based on the LZW with compression ratios of 50 ? 60%, using 2K of RAM and 80% or more with 8K or 16K.

A patent underlying one of the Web's most popular graphics formats is set to expire later this month, raising the question of whether a rival, open format, created as a royalty free alternative, will ...