VBGamer

Yes, GIF compression has been patented (or is in the process of patenting) and are making those using GIFs pay a fine. However, if they don't find you, you don't have to pay. That's the bottom line. I use bitmaps for game graphics because their quality is scores and scores better than GIFs or JPEGs. They are very large files but I do some nifty compression techniques ... and my games are packaged on CD's anyway, not for download.