Darryl Moore <darryl <at> moores.ca> writes: > > > I'll explain. > > The g.729 compression algorithm is not protected by copyright, though > specific instances may be. It is protected by a patent. > > http://www.sipro.com/G-729.html > > An open source version is available here: > > http://asterisk.hosting.lv/ > > What stops you from using this, or even your own implementation isn't > copyright, but patent protection. It is the right to use the patented > technology that you are licensing, not the particular copyrighted coded > that implements it. > > Here you will find the various G.729 patents which were all granted in > 1996. > > https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/recommendations/related_ps.aspx?id_prod=3334 > > I had thought these expired next year because I was thinking patents > were only 18 years. Turns out they are now 20 years, so they really do > not expire til some time in 2016. My bad. > > So in countries that honour software patents, you need to have a license > until some time in 2016. In countries which do not, you are free to use > these open source codes now. > > cheers.
Darrel- The G729 essential patents were *granted* in 1996, but applied for prior to June 8 1995. That means their lifespan is either 20 years from their application date, or 17 years from their grant date, whichever is greater (http://www.uspto.gov/main/faq/p120013.htm). Either way, they expire in 2014. -Jeff -- _____________________________________________________________________ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: http://www.asterisk.org/hello asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
