[PLUG] Animated GIF license issue with the GPL software

[Aneesh Mulye]

On 10/12/06, Anand Kulkarni <kulk_anand at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> We are developing a software under GPL. The software
> has various animations. Now we have found a tool that
> creates Animated GIFs.
>
> My question is that can we use those animated GIF
> files directly into our software? Is there any license
> issue involved with the Animated GIFs when it is used
> in GPL softwares?
>
> Waiting for the reply.
> regards,
>
> Anand
>
>
>
>
>
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The GNU web site states that all GIF patents expire worldwide after October
1, 2006. So you shouldn't have an patent issues if you implement the LZW
algorithm.

If you're talking about the moral issues involved in using GIF images, then
there are alternate formats available, though I have no idea as to their
comparative efficacy. As GIF is now free, however, I see no issues with
using it.