@command{gzip}, @command{bzip2} and @command{lzma} compression
programs. For backward compatibility, it also supports
@command{compress} command, although we strongly recommend against
-using it, since there is a patent covering the algorithm it uses and
-you could be sued for patent infringement merely by running
-@command{compress}! Besides, it is by far less effective than other
-compression programs.
+using it, because it is by far less effective than other compression
+programs@footnote{It also had patent problems in the past.}.
Creating a compressed archive is simple: you just specify a
@dfn{compression option} along with the usual archive creation
@itemx --uncompress
Filter the archive through @command{compress}. Otherwise like @option{--gzip}.
-The @acronym{GNU} Project recommends you not use
-@command{compress}, because there is a patent covering the algorithm it
-uses. You could be sued for patent infringement merely by running
-@command{compress}.
-
@opindex use-compress-program
@item --use-compress-program=@var{prog}
Use external compression program @var{prog}. Use this option if you