Message-ID: 4A2568AB.0023044D.00@noteshub01.aipo.gov.au
To: "Alex" <alexcher@pop.mail.rcn.net>
Subject: Re: Viewing tiff Images from Web browser
From: Michael.Still@ipaustralia.gov.au
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 16:22:27 +1000
cc: tiff@gate7.olympiakos.com
Sender: owner-tiff@olympiakos.com



To:   "Alex" <alexcher@pop.mail.rcn.net>
cc:   tiff@gate7.olympiakos.com


Hello.

You are correct that LZW often needs a license. However, this really depends on
where the LZW patent exists. For instance, it is my understanding that LZW is
not patented in Australia, and therefore no license fee is required. Packages
such as ImageMagick, which is free, will do tiff to GIF conversion on the fly
for you.

$5,000 for a license may be cheaper than the staff time to upgrade many
browsers.

I merely seek to advertise options.

Michael Still
IPAustralia, the Australian Patents, Trade Marks and Designs office





"Alex" <alexcher@pop.mail.rcn.net> on 23/03/2000 02:11:12 pm

To:   Michael Still
cc:   tiff@gate7.olympiakos.com

Subject:  Re: Viewing tiff Images from Web browser




Original message asked about a low cost solution
for an intranet. The only acceptable format is PNG.

 One can expect that  all users can upgrade their
browsers. Most browsers are free software;
other are available for zero cost.

GIF will cost you at least $5000 in the license fees.
See details in:
http://www.unisys.com/unisys/lzw/lzw-license.asp

JPEG is not good for bi-level images.

> Note though that not all browsers support PNG. See:
> http://www.cdrom.com/pub/png/pngapbr.html
So most browsers support a simple PNG image without alpha.









