Lizardtech

LizardTech (now part of GeoWGS84 Corp) is a software company specializing in the management, compression, and distribution of high-resolution geospatial imagery and LiDAR data. Founded in 1992 in Seattle, the company is best known for creating the MrSID (.sid) file format, an industry-standard for compressing massive aerial and satellite images without losing visual quality. Corporate Status & Ownership (2025) Current Owner: As of November 30, 2025, LizardTech was acquired by GeoWGS84 Corp from Extensis (a Monotype company). Historical Timeline: 1992: Founded to commercialize multiresolution image compression research from Los Alamos National Laboratory. 2018: Formally merged with Extensis to integrate geospatial tech with digital asset management. 2024: Extensis and the LizardTech portfolio were acquired by Monotype. 2025: GeoWGS84 Corp acquired the full LizardTech suite to focus on AI-driven geospatial innovation. Core Technologies and Products LizardTech's software suite is designed to handle "massive" datasets (gigabytes to terabytes) with high speed and efficiency. MrSID (Multiresolution Seamless Image Database): A powerful wavelet-based image format that allows for instant viewing of large images without full decompression. GeoExpress: The primary application used for creating MrSID files and JPEG imagery. It enables users to compress, crop, and reproject geospatial data. GeoViewer: A free GIS viewer (with a "Pro" version) used to open and explore raster imagery, LiDAR point clouds, and vector overlays. Express Server: A server-side solution for high-speed distribution and streaming of geospatial imagery over networks and the internet.