To convert something means that you must render it into a specifc format. To do this, you must use patented knowledge and thus, it is possible to be sued.

I don't think you will get into hot water though. Not unless you are selling software including gif conversion capability and happen to make money from it

If you think it's silly to patent a bitmap format...what about all of the patents that are being filed for gene sequences? No word of a lie. Companies are allowed to patent gene sequences that they have mapped and identified as performing a specific job.

I know the world is crazy when it's possible to patent part of what makes me me or you you... As far as I'm concerned it's all ludicrous...

Cheers