To sum it all up (Score 1)

There are tons of free zip programs, and in fact they are rather easy to create.

Winzip is owned by Winzip Inc., and is really not affiliated with Microsoft.

Windows 98 Plus has compressed folder technology included which was added using Dynazip from Innermedia Inc.

Both technologies are based of the infozip code however that code is only the basis for what is being used nowadays. So each program/developer kit has a different way of doing things.

There are indeed alot of free programs out there for the taking, however most are written by random programmers with some free time on their hands.

Hopefully that sums up everything for all of ya ^.^