We want to reiterate earlier communications that the issue of patent licenses is not focused on the end users of on-line networks, including the Internet. We encourage end users to continue to take full advantage of the outstanding benefits of a rapidly growing on-line community.
Unisys was awarded the patent in 1985. We became aware of the increasing interest in our LZW patent beginning in 1990 when many companies approached us to license the patent for their hardware and software products. The growth in the use of compression technology was mushrooming in order to meet the demands for transmitting increased amounts of data. To date, more than 100 companies, including hardware, software and on-line information services, have licensed the Unisys LZW technology.
Two years ago, Unisys learned that the LZW method was incorporated in the GIF specification and immediately began negotiations with CompuServe in January of 1993. We reached agreement with CompuServe on licensing the technology in June 1994, which calls for CompuServe to pay Unisys a royalty of 1% of the average selling price it charges for its software. This represents approximately 11 cents for each copy sold and connected to its information service.
Under the agreement, CompuServe, at its discretion, could relicense the LZW technology to commercial developers using the GIF specification in software that connected directly to the CompuServe information service.
With the agreement completed on June 21, 1994, CompuServe was given six months to implement the terms of its license. CompuServe later asked for a one-month extension, which we granted.
Unisys did not require CompuServe to pass on any fee to its sublicensees or end users. Such a decision, and the content and timing of CompuServe's advisory, was at their discretion.
Consistent with the entire information industry's desire to protect intellectual property, Unisys will expect all of the major commercial on-line information services companies employing the LZW patent to license the technology from Unisys at a reasonable rate. The on-line service companies are not required to sublicense the technology to developers producing software for the commercial on-line services. It will be, as it is today, at the on-line service's discretion as to whether it charges a license fee to developers or chooses an alternative method to account for its licensing fees payable to Unisys.
We recognize and are concerned -- thanks in large part to the recent and very active use of the on-line network -- that developers did not understand that the patented technology was resident in GIF. Taking that into account, Unisys does not intend to pursue previous inadvertent infringement by versions of GIF-based software products marketed prior to 1995.
Concerning all future software product development and enhancement of existing products for accessing on-line services, Unisys expects developers of commercial, for-profit software to secure a license from Unisys, or through the licensed on-line service, for the use of the patented technology. The very reasonable terms should prove no financial barrier to the introduction of product into the on-line network.
Unisys does not require licensing, or fees to be paid, for non-commercial, non-profit GIF-based applications, including those for use on the on-line services.
Concerning developers of software for the Internet network, the same principle applies. Unisys will not pursue previous inadvertent infringement by developers producing versions of software products for the Internet prior to 1995. The company does not require licensing, or fees to be paid for non-commercial, non-profit offerings on the Internet, including "Freeware".
Commercial developers of GIF-based software for the Internet are expected to secure a licensing agreement with Unisys for software products introduced beginning in 1995, or enhancements of products that were introduced prior to 1995. Again, terms should not preclude the entry by these firms into the marketplace.
For organizations introducing World Wide Web servers and "Home Page" offerings, most will not be required to secure a license from Unisys. Most organizations acquire software from other developers to create their offerings on their servers. Therefore, only the software firms who sell the enabling software for profit would be expected to secure a licensing agreement from Unisys.
Unisys understands that this issue has caused concern. We want to reassure all users and developers that we are strong proponents of the on-line industry.
We're proud that this important Unisys technology has played a role in the introduction of innovative products and services, many of which are fueling the explosive growth of the information superhighway.
As members of the information community we want to strike the appropriate balance between information access and the rights of all information companies, including the developers of software, to protect their intellectual property rights.
Patent information: Contact Welch Patent Licensing Department; Unisys; Mail Stop C1SW19; P.O. Box 500, Blue Bell, PA 19424.
Or via the Internet, send E-mail to LZW_INFO@UNISYS.COM to request follow-up information.
Media contacts: Unisys Public Relations -- Bob O'Leary (215)986-6413 or Oliver Picher (215) 986-5367