Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 09:06:16 +0200
From: Attila Kinali <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

> Sorry, but that's not true. There are patents that 
> apply to Theora
> as well as there are patents on DCT or motion 
> compensation. 
> Believe me, anything in the video coding field that
is 
> worth using
> (and even stuff that isn't worth using) is patented.
> Theora just claims to be patent free.

Yes, Theora is based on the (patented) VP3 codec from
On2, but quoting from
http://theora.org/theorafaq.html:

"Q. Isn't VP3 a patented technology?
Yes, some portions of the VP3 codec are covered by
patents. However, the Xiph.org Foundation has
negotiated an irrevocable free license to the VP3
codec for any purpose imaginable on behalf of the
public. It is legal to use VP3 in any way you see fit
(unless, of course, you're doing something illegal
with it in your particular jurisdiction). You are free
to download VP3, use it free of charge, implement it
in a for-sale product, implement it in a free product,
make changes to the source and distribute those
changes, or print the source code out and wallpaper
your spare room with it. For more information, check
the VP3 Legal Terms on the SVN page."

I guess you'd need to speak to a lawyer to see whether
that means you are actually immune to being whacked
with the patent stick, but it would appear that On2
have indeed irrevocably released the rights to the VP3
patents. I think "patent-free" is better interpreted
as "with free-to-use patents".

HTH
-Taiyo


        
        
                
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